JP5224113B2 - Multilayer actuator and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an actuator that deforms when an electric potential difference is applied between electrodes, and more particularly to a stacked actuator that is formed by stacking a plurality of polymer laminates that are deformed as ions move due to an electric field, and a method for manufacturing the same.

  As a laminated polymer actuator using a plurality of ion exchange resins, for example, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1 below.

The actuator described in Patent Document 1 is configured by laminating a plurality of stages of actuator elements in which an ion exchange resin is arranged between a pair of electrode bodies in the plate thickness direction.
JP-A-8-280187

  However, it is necessary to connect the electrode body formed on one surface of each actuator and the electrode body formed on the other surface to a power source. In the multilayer actuator described in Patent Document 1, from the platinum lead wire, The conductors 14a and 14b are individually connected to the electric supply parts 15a and 15b made of conductive epoxy resin to the electrode bodies provided on both surfaces of each actuator.

  For this reason, there is a problem that wiring is complicated and it is difficult to simplify the manufacturing process.

  In addition, since the connection is made by using a thin 0.08 mm straight wire (platinum seed wire), contact failure occurs in the electric supply parts 15a and 15b and lead connection is cut off inside the actuator. There was a possibility to do.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a laminated actuator and a method for manufacturing the same that can simplify the routing between electrodes and are less likely to cause poor connection. .

The present invention has a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, and a plurality of sets of laminates based on a three-layer structure in which an electrolyte layer is sandwiched therebetween are stacked in the thickness direction. In the laminated actuator
The first electrode layer forming the stacked body is provided with a first projecting portion projecting in the first direction from an edge portion of the first electrode layer,
Similarly, the second electrode layer that forms the stacked body includes the first electrode in a planar direction that protrudes from the edge of the second electrode layer in the first direction and is orthogonal to the first direction. A second protrusion provided at a certain distance from the electrode layer of
The first protrusions formed in the individual laminates are electrically connected in a state where they overlap with each other in the plate thickness direction, and similarly, the second protrusions are electrically connected in a state where they overlap in the plate thickness direction. It is characterized by being connected.

  In the present invention, since the electrodes between the stacked bodies can be connected without providing a wiring member such as a lead wire, the wiring structure can be simplified.

  In the above, an insulating layer is provided between the stacked body and the stacked body that overlap in the plate thickness direction.

  According to the above means, it is possible to ensure an insulating state between a pair of electrodes facing each other with the laminate sandwiched therebetween while ensuring electrical connection between electrodes of the same polarity of each laminate stacked in the plate thickness direction.

  The insulating layer is preferably formed of a sheet having a low coefficient of friction. For example, the insulating layer is polytetrafluoroethylene.

With the above means, it is possible to ensure a smooth operation of the laminate while maintaining insulation.
In the above, each of the first and second projecting portions is provided with an extension portion, and the extension portion is folded back at least once to form a folded portion, and the individual overlapping each other in the plate thickness direction via the folded portion. The projecting portions of each other can be electrically connected.

  In the above means, even if the gap dimension between the pair of one electrode layer and the other electrode layer facing each other is larger than the plate thickness dimension of the electrode layer or the projecting part, the folded part is replaced with one projecting part and the other. It can be used as a connection member for connecting between the protrusions, and the wiring structure can be simplified.

  Alternatively, a connection piece formed by cutting the second protrusion is provided in a gap where the first protrusion and the first protrusion adjacent to each other in the plate thickness direction face each other. The first protrusion and the first protrusion adjacent to each other in the plate thickness direction are electrically connected via a piece.

  In the above means, the wiring structure can be simplified, and a part of the arm formed on the other second projecting portion is used as a connection piece, so that the number of parts can be reduced by efficiently using the member. Can be reduced.

The first manufacturing method of the laminated actuator according to the present invention is as follows.
The first electrode layer having the first protrusion and the second electrode layer having the second protrusion are pressed in a state where the electrolyte layer is sandwiched between the first electrode layer and the first electrode layer to form a three-layer laminate. And the process of
A second step in which an insulating layer is provided and stacked between one laminated body and the other laminated body arranged adjacent to each other;
A third step of integrating the stacked bodies by pressing the stacked bodies and the insulating layers in a stacked state; and
It is characterized by having.

  In the first manufacturing method, a laminated body is formed first, and this laminated body is then stacked to form a laminated actuator, and an actuator that is unlikely to cause malfunction due to poor connection or the like can be produced. it can.

In the second manufacturing method of the multilayer actuator of the present invention, the electrolyte layer is sandwiched between the first electrode layer having the first protrusion and the second electrode layer having the second protrusion. A first step of obtaining a layered laminate;
A second step in which an insulating layer is provided and stacked between one laminated body and the other laminated body arranged adjacent to each other;
A plurality of the laminated bodies and the insulating layers are integrated by pressing in a stacked state, and at the same time, the first protrusions and the second protrusions adjacent in the thickness direction are electrically connected to each other. A third step of connecting;
It is characterized by having.

  In the second manufacturing method, since the actuator can be manufactured by a single press process, the manufacturing process can be simplified.

In the laminated actuator of the present invention, it is not necessary to individually wire the laminated electrodes with lead wires, so that the wiring structure can be simplified.
In addition, an actuator that is less prone to poor connection can be obtained.

  1A and 1B show a basic configuration of a laminate constituting the actuator of the present invention, FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the laminate, FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the laminate showing a state after lamination, and FIG. It is sectional drawing in the II-II line | wire of FIG. 1 (B), (A) has shown the non-driving state, (B) has shown the driving state.

  A laminate 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is provided on an electrolyte layer 2, a first electrode layer 3 provided on one surface of the electrolyte layer 2, and the other surface of the electrolyte layer 2. The second electrode layer 4 is overlaid.

  The electrolyte layer 2 is a resin layer capable of ion exchange, and is obtained by impregnating a cation exchange resin with an electrolytic solution as an electrolyte. The cation exchange resin is obtained by introducing a hydrophilic functional group such as a sulfonic acid group or a carboxyl group into polyethylene, polystyrene, fluororesin or the like. The electrolytic solution is a polar organic solvent containing a salt or an ionic liquid. Alternatively, the electrolyte layer 2 may be a gel obtained by mixing an ionic liquid into a base polymer such as polyvinylidene fluoride.

  In the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4, a conductive filler is included in the same electrolyte layer as the electrolyte layer 2. That is, the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 are configured by further mixing a conductive filler such as carbon nanotube or carbon nanofiber in an ion exchange resin impregnated with an electrolytic solution. Alternatively, a conductive filler may be mixed in the gel-like layer containing the ionic liquid.

  By laminating the sheet-like resin to be the electrolyte layer 2, the sheet-like first electrode layer 3 and the sheet-like second electrode layer 4 mixed with the conductive filler, FIG. 3) is formed. This laminated body 1 has a structure in which the boundary surface between the electrolyte layer 2 and the first electrode layer 3 and the boundary surface between the electrolyte layer 2 and the second electrode layer 4 have strong adhesion.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the first electrode layer 3 has a first protrusion 3a protruding in the Y1 direction, which is the first direction, on one edge in the X1 direction perpendicular to the first direction. It is formed in the part. Similarly, the 2nd protrusion part 4a which protrudes in a 1st direction is formed in the 2nd protrusion part 4a at the other edge part of the X2 direction orthogonal to a 1st direction. The first protrusion 3a and the second protrusion 4a are provided with a constant interval in the X direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, when an electric field is applied to the electrolyte layer 2 such that the first electrode layer 3 is on the anode side and the second electrode layer 4 is on the cathode side, the electrolyte layer The cations and polar molecules in 2 shift to the second electrode layer 4 on the cathode side. When the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 are formed by mixing a conductive filler in an ion-exchangeable layer like the electrolyte layer 2, the first electrode layer 3 The cations and polar molecules dissociated in the second electrode layer 4 are also shifted to the second electrode layer 4 side.

  As a result, inside the electrolyte layer 2, the volume tends to expand at a position biased toward the second electrode layer 4 side. That is, since an expansion stress is generated on the second electrode layer 4 side and an expansion strain is generated based on the expansion stress, a bending stress is generated in the laminate 1, and as shown by a solid line in FIG. The laminate 1 is bent and functions as a polymer actuator.

Next, the structure of the laminated actuator using the above laminated body will be described.
3A is an exploded perspective view of the laminated actuator, FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the actuator showing a state after lamination, and FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the actuator after the protruding portion is pressed.

  The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C shows a laminated actuator 10 formed by two laminated bodies 1. That is, the first laminated body 1A and the second laminated body 1B are provided, and are formed by overlapping them in the plate thickness (Z) direction. However, the number of laminated bodies 1 is not limited to two, and may be three or more.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, an insulating layer 6 is provided between the first stacked body 1A and the second stacked body 1B. The insulating layer 6 is provided only in a region excluding the first projecting portion 3a and the second projecting portion 4a, that is, in a region where the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 are opposed to each other. It is not provided in the area | region which opposes the protrusion part 3a and the 2nd protrusion part 4a. The insulating layer 6 insulates the second electrode layer 4 of the first stacked body 1A from the first electrode layer 3 of the second stacked body 1B.

  The insulating layer 6 is preferably a sheet having a small friction coefficient in addition to the insulating property. For example, polytetrafluoroethylene called so-called Teflon (registered trademark) is suitable.

  In general, when a multilayer actuator using bending stress is to be deformed, the surface on which one laminate is stretched and the surface on which the other laminate is shrinking are in contact with each other. The movement of the entire stacked actuator is likely to be hindered.

  However, when a sheet having a low coefficient of friction is used for the insulating layer 6 in this way, the surface of the second electrode layer 4 of the first laminate 1A in contact with one surface of the insulating layer 6 and the other of the insulating layer 6 are used. Slip easily occurs between the surface of the first electrode layer 3 of the second stacked body 1B in contact with the surface. For this reason, since it is possible to make it difficult for the movements of each other to be restrained, the operation of the stacked actuator as a whole can be smoothed. Therefore, the actuator can generate a large displacement amount ΔH and a large driving force.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (C), the first protrusion 3a and the second protrusion 4a provided in each of the laminates 1A and 1B are bent in the plate thickness (Z) direction by press working. The first protrusions 3a of the first stacked body 1A and the second stacked body 1B adjacent to each other are electrically connected by surface contact, and similarly, the second protrusions 4a are also electrically connected. Has been. For this reason, the first protrusions 3a are all set to the same potential, and the second protrusions 4a are all set to the same potential. One power supply terminal having the same polarity (for example, + pole) is connected to each first protrusion 3a, and a power supply having the same polarity (for example, -pole) different from the above is connected to each second protrusion 4a. Terminal is connected.

  For this reason, by connecting ± terminals (+ terminal and −terminal) of a power source (not shown) to the first protrusion 3a and the second protrusion 4a, respectively, the first protrusions of all the stacked bodies 1A and 1B are connected. A predetermined voltage can be applied between the portion 3a and the second protrusion 4a, and a predetermined electric field can be applied to the electrolyte layer 2 provided between the stacked bodies 1A and 1B. .

  Thus, the first projecting portions 3a and the first projecting portions 3a between the stacked bodies 1A and 1B and the first projecting portions 3a and the second projecting portions 4a can be connected without using the wiring for connecting the second projecting portions 4a to each other. A voltage can be applied to the 2nd protrusion part 4a. In particular, in the case of a multi-stage laminated actuator having a large number of laminated bodies 1, the wiring structure can be greatly simplified.

  Thus, according to the present invention, the wiring structure of the multilayer actuator can be simplified and smooth movement can be ensured.

Next, a method for manufacturing the laminated actuator will be described.
First, in the first step, the laminates 1A and 1B having a three-layer structure in which the electrolyte layer 2 is sandwiched between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 are formed.

  That is, by pressing in a state where the electrolyte layer 2 is sandwiched between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4, the first laminate 1A in which the respective members are brought into close contact with each other and integrated, The second laminate 1B is completed.

  In the next step, an insulating layer 6 is provided and stacked between one adjacent first stacked body 1A and the other second stacked body 1B using a predetermined jig (not shown).

  In the next step, the laminates 1A and 1B are pressed in the plate thickness (Z) direction in a stacked state. Thereby, the 1st laminated body 1A, the insulating layer 6, and the 2nd laminated body 1B are integrated. At the same time, the first protrusions 3a and the second protrusion 4a are bent in a predetermined direction and electrically connected to each other. Thereby, the laminated actuator 10 is completed.

  The first electrode layer 3 and the electrolyte layer constituting the first laminate 1A from the lower layer to the upper layer without first manufacturing the first and second laminates 1A and 1B having the three-layer structure. 2 and the second electrode layer 4 are stacked, the insulating layer 6 is stacked thereon, and the first electrode layer 3, the electrolyte layer 2 and the second electrode layer constituting the second stacked body 1B are further stacked thereon. 4 may be stacked and pressed at the same time in the next step. In this configuration, since the laminated actuator 10 can be manufactured by a single press, the manufacturing configuration can be further simplified.

  As described above, in the present invention, the multilayer actuator 10 can be manufactured by a simple method in which each member is sequentially stacked and pressed using a predetermined jig.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a laminated actuator showing a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 shows a laminated body constituting the laminated actuator of FIG. 4 and its manufacturing process, and (A) is a laminated body. (B) The perspective view of the laminated body which shows the state after lamination | stacking, (C) is the perspective view of the laminated body after a cutting | disconnection.

  The basic configuration of the laminated actuator 20 shown as the second embodiment in FIG. 4 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and the following description will focus on the differences.

  In the multilayer actuator 20 shown in the second embodiment, the first protrusion 3a of the adjacent first stacked body 1A and the first protrusion 3a of the second stacked body 1B are in the thickness direction. A connection piece 4b is interposed in the opposing gap 5, and one first protrusion 3a and the other first protrusion 3a are electrically connected via the connection piece 4b.

  Similarly, the connection piece 3b is provided in the gap 5 where the second protrusion 4a of the adjacent first stacked body 1A and the second protrusion 4a of the second stacked body 1B face each other in the plate thickness direction. One second protrusion 4a and the other second protrusion 4a are electrically connected via the connection piece 3b.

  Both the connection piece 3b and the connection piece 4b are made of the same material as that of the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4, that is, an ion exchange resin impregnated with an electrolytic solution, and a conductive material such as carbon nanotube or carbon nanofiber. It is formed by mixing a conductive filler in a structure in which a filler is mixed or in a gel-like layer containing an ionic liquid.

  In this configuration, the connection piece 4b is interposed between the one adjacent first protrusion 3a and the other first protrusion 3a, and the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 are arranged. The plate thickness dimension of the part and the plate thickness dimensions of the first protrusion 3a and the second protrusion 4a can be set to substantially the same dimension. That is, the stacked actuator 20 having a substantially uniform surface can be obtained.

  Next, a manufacturing method of the multilayer actuator 20 shown in the second embodiment will be described.

  5A to 5C are described using a set of stacked bodies, the same applies to a plurality of sets of stacked bodies.

  First, the 1st electrode layer 3 and the 2nd electrode layer 4 which have a shape as shown to FIG. 5 (A) are prepared. That is, similar to the plurality of first electrode layers 3 provided with the arm portions 3a ′ formed to protrude from the first protruding portion 3a provided at one edge portion in the X1 direction toward the other edge portion. A plurality of first portions provided with arm portions 4a ′ formed to protrude from the second protruding portion 4a provided at the other edge portion in the X2 direction different from the first electrode layer 3 toward the other edge portion. 2 electrode layers 4 are prepared.

  Next, the 1st electrode layer 3 and the 2nd electrode layer 4 are each arrange | positioned so that the 1st protrusion part 3a and the 2nd protrusion part 4a may be located in a different opposite side (X1 side and X2 side). Facing in the Z direction. Then, the electrolyte layer 2 is interposed between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 arranged in this way.

  Then, the first electrode layer 3, the electrolyte layer 2, and the second electrode layer 4 are in close contact with each other by pressing the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 in the thickness direction. 1 is formed integrally. In this state, the arm portion 3a 'and the arm portion 4a' are electrically connected in a state where they are stacked in the thickness direction.

  Subsequently, a part of the arm portions 3a ′ and 4a ′ is partially cut by cutting the arm portions 3a ′ and 4a ′ along two cutting lines 7a and 7b indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. Resect. By this cutting, as shown in FIG. 5C, the arm portion 3a ′ is separated into the first projecting portion 3a and the connecting piece 3b, and the arm portion 4a ′ is also used as the second projecting portion 4a and the connecting piece 4b. The laminated body 1 separated into two is formed. At the same time, the electrical connection between the first protruding portion 3a side and the second protruding portion 4a side is also interrupted.

  The stacked actuator 20 can be formed by stacking in the plate thickness direction with the insulating layer 6 interposed between the multiple stacked bodies 1 and then pressing.

  In this invention, after performing the press process and a cutting process separately, and forming the laminated body 1, by pressing in the state which accumulated these laminated bodies 1 further, the 1st protrusion parts 3a adjacent to a plate | board thickness direction And the electrical connection between the 2nd protrusion parts 4a is securable.

  Alternatively, in a state where a plurality of the first electrode layer 3 having the arm portion 3a ′, the insulating layer 6 and the second electrode layer 4 having the arm portion 4a ′ are stacked in this order to form a prototype of the stacked actuator, They may be integrated together by pressing and then cut along two cutting lines 7a and 7b. Moreover, you may perform a press process and a cutting process simultaneously.

  Through these steps, a laminated actuator 20 as shown in FIG. 4 is completed.

  As described above, in the present invention, insulation between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 facing each other with the electrolyte layer 2 sandwiched between the individual stacked bodies 1 is ensured by a very simple method. In the entire actuator, electrical connection between the first electrode layers 3 and between the second electrode layers 4 can be reliably ensured.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a laminated actuator showing a third embodiment of the present invention.
The basic configuration of the multilayer actuator 30 shown as the third embodiment in FIG. 6 is also substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and the differences will be mainly described below.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the multilayer actuator 30 includes a first protrusion that extends in the Y1 direction (first direction) from the Y1 side edge of the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4. It has folded portions 3a1 and 4a1 which are extensions of the portion 3a and the second projecting portion 4a, and is formed by folding the folded portions 3a1 and 4a1.

  In this configuration, in the gap 5 formed between the first protruding portion 3a of one first stacked body 1A and the first protruding portion 3a of the other first stacked body 1A adjacent thereto. One folded portion 3a1 is interposed. Similarly, in the gap 5 formed between the second protrusion 4a of one second stacked body 1B and the second protrusion 4a of the other second stacked body 1B adjacent thereto, One folded portion 4a1 is interposed.

  For this reason, the folded portions 3a1 and 4a1 of the one projecting portions 3a and 4a are brought into surface contact with the other projecting portions 3a and 4a, respectively, by pressing. In this state, it is possible to obtain the stacked actuator 30 in which the first stacked body 1A and the second stacked body 1B are integrated.

  Therefore, also in this case, the first projecting portion 3a of one adjacent first stacked body 1A and the first projecting portion 3a of the other first stacked body 1A via the folded portions 3a1 and 4a1. Without using a wiring for routing between the second projecting portion 4a of the first laminated body 1A on one side and the second projecting portion 4a of the other second laminated body 1B. Each can be electrically connected.

  Note that the number of times the folded portions 3a1 and 4a1 are folded is not limited to one as described above, and the size of the gap between one protruding portion and the other protruding portion and the plate of the protruding portions 3a and 4a itself. A configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of diffraction patterns are returned according to the thickness dimension.

  Further, the folded portions 3a1 and 4a1 are not limited to the configuration in which the first projecting portion 3a and the second projecting portion 4a are extended in the Y1 direction as shown in FIG. 6, and for example, the X1 direction orthogonal to Y1 Or the structure which turned up the part extended in the X2 direction may be sufficient.

The basic structure of the laminated body which comprises the actuator of this invention is shown, (A) is an exploded perspective view of a laminated body, (B) is a perspective view of the laminated body which shows the state after lamination | stacking, It is sectional drawing in the II-II line | wire of FIG. 1 (B), (A) is a non-driving state, (B) is a driving state, (A) is an exploded perspective view of the laminated actuator, (B) is a perspective view of the actuator showing a state after lamination, (C) is a perspective view of the actuator after pressing the protruding portion, The perspective view of the laminated actuator which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Process drawing which shows the manufacturing method of the laminated actuator 20 shown in 2nd Embodiment, The perspective view of the laminated actuator which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention,

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1B Laminate 2 Electrolyte layer 3 First electrode layer 3a First projecting portion 3a ′ Arm portion 3a1 Folded portion 3b Connection piece 4 Second electrode layer 4a Second projecting portion 4a ′ Arm portion 4a1 Folded Part 4b Connection piece 5 Gap 6 Insulating layers 7a, 7b Cutting lines 10, 20, 30 Multilayer actuator

Claims (7)

A laminated type having a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, and a plurality of laminated bodies based on a three-layer structure in which an electrolyte layer is sandwiched between them in the thickness direction. In the actuator
The first electrode layer forming the stacked body is provided with a first projecting portion projecting in the first direction from an edge portion of the first electrode layer,
Similarly, the second electrode layer that forms the stacked body includes the first electrode in a planar direction that protrudes from the edge of the second electrode layer in the first direction and is orthogonal to the first direction. A second protrusion provided at a certain distance from the electrode layer of
The first protrusions formed in the individual laminates are electrically connected in a state where they overlap with each other in the plate thickness direction, and similarly, the second protrusions are electrically connected in a state where they overlap in the plate thickness direction. A stacked actuator characterized by being connected.   The laminated actuator according to claim 1, wherein an insulating layer is provided between the laminated body and the laminated body that overlap in the plate thickness direction.   The multilayer actuator according to claim 2, wherein the insulating layer is formed of a sheet having a low coefficient of friction.   Each of the first and second projecting portions is provided with an extension portion, and the extension portion is folded back at least once to form a folded portion, and the individual projections overlapping in the plate thickness direction via the folded portion. The laminated actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the portions are electrically connected.   A connection piece formed by cutting the second protrusion is provided in a gap between the first protrusion and the first protrusion adjacent to each other in the plate thickness direction. 4. The stacked actuator according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion and the first protrusion that are adjacent to each other in the plate thickness direction are electrically connected to each other via a gap. The first electrode layer having the first protrusion and the second electrode layer having the second protrusion are pressed in a state where the electrolyte layer is sandwiched between the first electrode layer and the first electrode layer to form a three-layer laminate. And the process of
A second step in which an insulating layer is provided and stacked between one laminated body and the other laminated body arranged adjacent to each other;
A third step of integrating the stacked bodies by pressing the stacked bodies and the insulating layers in a stacked state; and
A method for manufacturing a laminated actuator, comprising: A first step of obtaining a three-layer structure by sandwiching an electrolyte layer between a first electrode layer having a first protrusion and a second electrode layer having a second protrusion;
A second step in which an insulating layer is provided and stacked between one laminated body and the other laminated body arranged adjacent to each other;
A plurality of the laminated bodies and the insulating layers are integrated by pressing in a stacked state, and at the same time, the first protrusions and the second protrusions adjacent in the thickness direction are electrically connected to each other. A third step of connecting;
A method for manufacturing a laminated actuator, comprising:

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