KR20160091656A - Torsional actuators by temperature gradient and energy harvesting device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotary operator. According to the present invention, the rotary operator uses a single polymer fiber, manufactured through electric radiation, or manufactures a polymer sheet, on which the polymer fiber is arranged in a single direction, by twisting and coiling the sheet. The present invention is capable of efficiently converting thermal energy, wasted in the air, into mechanical energy even if temperature is not artificially changed since the present invention enables reversible, fast, and efficient operation by using a constant temperature gradient supplied from a temperature difference in an ordinary environment. Moreover, provided are various types of energy harvesting devices capable of improving the efficiency of collecting thermal energy as electric energy by using the rotary operator.

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a rotary actuator driven by a temperature gradient, and an energy harvesting device using the same,

The present invention relates to a rotary actuator driven by a temperature gradient, and to an energy harvesting apparatus using the same, and more particularly, to a rotary actuator capable of converting heat energy into mechanical energy in a wasted environment, The present invention relates to an energy harvesting apparatus capable of generating electric energy.

Energy harvesting technology refers to a technology that converts energy such as vibration, heat, light, and RF, which are present in the surrounding environment or are wasted, into electrical energy. This technology is attracting much attention because the density of the harvested electric energy is getting larger as the structure and performance of the energy harvest continue to evolve.

As an energy harvesting technique, there is a method of converting the temperature difference to electrical energy by using thermoelectricity. The thermoelectric effect method utilizes a thermoelectric material that generates a voltage by a temperature difference at both ends. It has an advantage that electric energy can be obtained from human body temperature or waste heat. However, since a potential difference occurs when a constant temperature difference exists, Is very low.

In order to solve the above problems, various artificial muscles have been developed in which actuation such as thermal fluctuation, thermal energy, electrochemical, chemical, thermal or humidity, folding, moving up and down, come.

For example, twisted and twisted carbon nanotube yarns (non-patent documents 1 and 2) exhibit rotational driving that is about 1000 times greater than conventional carbon nanotube yarns. In other words, the carbon nanotube chamber of the above-described type is a technology that can be driven by rotational drive from thermal energy or self-driven by a changing temperature.

However, the carbon nanotube yarn having the above-described structure shrinks or expands according to its application by applying a voltage based on high electrical conductivity, thereby converting electric energy into thermal energy or rotational energy. Further, there is a problem that the conversion efficiency generated through the shrinkage or expansion is low, and the thermal energy of the external environment can not be fully utilized in everyday life.

In addition to the above-mentioned carbon nanotubes-based driver, a piezoelectric material (non-patent document 3) for storing energy from temperature change, a hybrid piezoelectric system by polymer expansion (non-patent document 4), and a shape memory alloy 5) have been developed. However, all of them are required to have a detailed polarization process, a temperature change required to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy or electric energy must be high, and the elasticity and elasticity are low, There is a problem that thermal energy can not be utilized. Therefore, there is a limit to be used as an energy conversion device using the above-mentioned material.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rotatable type actuator that can be driven even under a temperature change in a normal environment, can be reversibly, rapidly, and efficiently self-driven, Development.

Non-Patent Documents 1. J. Foroughi, G. M. Spinks, G. G. Wallace, J. Oh, M. E. Kozlov, S. L. Fang, T. Mirfakhrai, J. D. W. Madden, M. K. Shin, S. J. Kim, R. H. Baughman, Science 2011, 334, 494. Non-patent document 2. MD Lima, N. Li, MJ de Andrade, SL Fang, J. Oh, GM Spinks, ME Kozlov, CS Haines, D. Suh, J. Foroughi, SJ Kim, YS Chen, MK Shin, LD Machado, AF Fonseca, JDW Madden, WE Voit, DS Galvao, RH Baughman, Science 2012, 338, 928. Non-Patent Document 3. Y. Yang, S. Wang, Y. Zhang, Z. L. Wang, Nano Lett. 2012, 12, 6408. Non-Patent Document 4. X. Wang, K. Kim, Y. Wang, M. Stadermann, A. Noy, A. V. Hamza, J. Yang, D. J. Sirbuly, Nano Lett. 2010, 10, 4091. Non-patent document 5. D. Zakharov, G. Lebedev, O. Cugat, J. Delamare, B. Viala, T. Lafont, L. Gimeno, A. Shelyakov, J. Micromech. Microeng. 2012, 22, 094005.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary type driver which is sensitive to heat and which is driven by the temperature gradient in the rotary type actuator due to the ambient temperature difference.

It is another object of the present invention to provide various types of energy harvesting apparatus using the rotatable type driver.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a polymer sheet comprising at least one polymer fiber or a polymer sheet formed by orienting the polymer fibers in one direction,

Wherein the at least one polymer fiber or polymer sheet comprises an upper portion and a lower portion with respect to an inner side,

At least one of the upper and lower ends of the at least one polymer fiber or polymer sheet is fixed,

Wherein the at least one polymer fiber or polymer sheet has twisted or twisted coils manufactured by rotating the upper and lower ends in the same or opposite directions,

When a temperature gradient is generated between a portion of the rotatable type actuator and another portion of the rotatable type actuator, a volume difference occurs between a portion of the rotatable type actuator and another portion, thereby generating a continuous rotation.

The polymer fiber may be any one selected from the group consisting of polymer materials such as nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene and rubber.

The temperature gradient between a portion of the rotatable actuator and another portion may be at least 1 ° C.

The diameter of the rotary actuator may be 0.5 to 200 탆.

The maximum temperature of the rotary actuator may be 20 to 80 캜.

In the at least one polymer fiber, or when the upper end and the distal end of the polymer sheet is rotated in the same direction or in opposite directions to each other be made of a rotatable actuator, the polymer fibers or at least the glass transition (T _g) temperature of the polymer sheet, 2,000 to Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 60,000 turns / m. ≪ / RTI >

The rotatable actuator can be fixed after being stretched 10 to 60% over its entire length before being fixed.

In addition, the present invention provides a two-ply rotary actuator having a two-ply structure composed of two rotatable actuators and behaving like one strand.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention also provides a driving apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a rotatable type actuator for providing continuous rotation by a temperature gradient; at least one magnetic body Or at least one coil or a magnetic body disposed between the coil and the rotative actuator.

As the rotative actuator rotates by the temperature gradient, the magnetic body rotates and induces a change in magnetic flux passing through the inside of the coil to generate electric energy.

The magnetic body may be a permanent magnet, and the weight of the magnetic body may be 1 to 1000 times the weight of the rotative actuator.

The rotary actuator may have both ends fixed or only one end fixed,

In the case where only one end of the rotary actuator is fixed, the rotary actuator may further include a position variation support at one of the non-fixed ends of the rotary actuator.

Wherein the position variation support is a magnetic body and is spaced apart from the position variation support and includes an enclosed coil. When the rotation type actuator is pulled and contracted according to a temperature gradient, the position variation support moves horizontally, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > electrical energy. ≪ / RTI >

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention also provides an energy harvesting apparatus comprising: a plate attached to one of an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the energy harvesting apparatus; and an opening and closing port for causing the plate to open and close, And at least one pin located at a position spaced apart from the plate and having the same shape as the opening and closing port.

The rotating actuator rotates in accordance with the temperature gradient and the pin is positioned at a horizontal position spaced apart from the opening and closing port by the rotation of the rotatable actuator to block the flow of air flowing from the opening and closing port.

The spacing between each plate having the opening and closing port and the fin may be 0.1 to 3 cm.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention also provides a rotary actuator having both ends fixed on a horizontal axis and rotated by a temperature gradient,

Elevating means provided at a central point in the rotative actuator,

At least one magnetic body provided below the elevating means and connected to the elevating means and having a positional variation as the rotative actuator rotates,

And at least one coil for generating an electric field by the up and down movement of the magnetic body.

The coil may be cylindrical to surround the side surface of the magnetic body.

The coil is located on a side surface or a lower surface of the magnetic body, and the magnetic field can generate an electric field by the upward and downward movement of the magnetic body.

As the rotary actuator rotates by a temperature gradient, the magnetic body moves up and down, and a change in the position of the magnetic body causes a variation in the distance between the coil and the magnetic body. Thus, a change in magnetic flux passing through the coil is induced, Lt; / RTI >

The vertical moving distance of the magnetic body may be 0.1 to 3 cm.

The elevating means may be a device for converting rotational energy into position energy.

The rotating type actuator according to the present invention can use a polymer fiber produced through electrospinning singly or by applying a twist to a polymer sheet oriented in a unidirection by using the polymer fiber, Since it is sensitive to the continuous temperature gradients supplied from the difference and has a reversible, fast and efficient drive, it is possible to efficiently convert the thermal energy wasted in the air to mechanical energy without providing a large temperature change.

In addition, the rotatable type actuator is excellent in durability and stability as well as having excellent rotational speed, and shows almost no decrease in rotational speed even when used for a long period of time.

Also, it is possible to provide various types of energy harvesting apparatuses with improved efficiency of recovering thermal energy as electric energy by using the rotary type driver.

1 is a view showing various structures of a rotative actuator according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a principle in which a rotary actuator according to the present invention is rotationally driven by a temperature gradient generated from a temperature difference in air.
3 is a view showing a process for producing a polymer sheet according to the present invention in which polymer fibers are oriented in one direction.
4 is a cross-sectional view of an energy harvesting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention using a rotatable type driver.
5 is a view showing a structure and an additional structure of an additional component of the energy harvesting apparatus using the rotative actuator of the present invention.
6A is a cross-sectional view of an energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6B is a photograph of the energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention taken from above. FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view of an energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
10 shows the results of measuring the rotational speed (?) And rotational angle (?) Of the rotational actuator (12 cm length, 100 탆 diameter) manufactured from Example 1 having a temperature gradient of 53 ° C. at the lower end Graph.
Fig. 11 is a graph showing the results obtained when the rotating type actuator (12 cm in length, 100 탆 diameter) manufactured in Example 1 was used when the temperature difference between the upper end and the lower end of the rotatable type actuator was fixed at 13 캜 and the lower end temperature was 40 to 60 캜, (2) of the first embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a graph showing the rotation speed measured when the temperature difference between the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotative actuators manufactured in Examples 1 to 5 of different embodiments is 10 ° C and the temperature of the lower end portion is 52 ° C.
13 is a graph showing the results of measurement of rotational speed and rotational energy for each of the rotatable actuators by fixing the rotatable actuators manufactured in Example 1 with 0 to 50% Fig.
Fig. 14 is a graph showing the results of measuring the rotational speed and torsional energy according to the moment of inertia by attaching the paddle to the center of the rotative actuator manufactured in Example 1, to be.
15 is a graph showing rotation speed and rotational energy of the rotatable type actuator manufactured from Example 1 according to the length.
16 is a graph showing the results of measuring the rotational speed of each cycle when the rotational type actuator manufactured from Example 1 in which the temperature of the lower end portion was 53 ° C and the temperature difference between the lower end portion and the upper end portion was 13 ° C for 8 hours in total to be.
17 is a graph showing the relationship between the voltage (black line) and the average temperature (blue line) generated over time of the energy harvesting apparatus according to Production Example 1 having a magnetic body between the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotatable type driver manufactured in Example 1 Fig. At this time, the interpolated graph shows an example of the energy harvesting device capable of converting heat energy into electric energy.
18 is a graph showing a voltage generated over time when a temperature gradient of 12 占 폚 is generated through convection using a heat plate at an energy harvesting apparatus according to Production Example 1 (average temperature: 46 占 폚).
19 is a graph showing an electric force and a voltage measured according to a resistance of the energy harvesting apparatus according to Production Example 1. FIG.
20 is a graph showing a rectified voltage signal obtained by rectifying the voltage generated from the energy harvesting device according to Production Example 1 under the same condition as that of FIG. 18 with a connection rectifier. The interpolated drawing is a view of the rectifying circuit.

Hereinafter, various aspects and various embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail.

Conventionally, various kinds of pyroelectric materials and piezoelectric materials have been developed to convert thermal energy existing in the external environment into mechanical energy or electric energy. However, in order to generate energy, the above-mentioned pyroelectric material or piezoelectric material requires a manufacturing process for inducing polarization in the inside of the piezoelectric material or the piezoelectric material. Most of them require high voltage (10 ㎷ / cm) There is a problem in that it is a complicated process such as stretching at a high temperature to induce crystallization and that these processes must be finely performed.

In addition, since the actuator using the above-mentioned superconductive material or piezoelectric material is required to have a large temperature change required to convert the thermal energy into mechanical energy or electric energy and to be driven by repeating heating and cooling, There is a problem in that it is difficult to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy from the general environment because it can be used only in a place where repetitive cycles can be provided or in a place where a large temperature change occurs as a whole.

Other hybrids or carbon nanotube chambers may be driven at room temperature if the temperature (T _m ) at which the entrapped material is low is low, but since the driving force of the hybrid chamber or carbon nanotube chamber is extremely reduced, Is remarkably low. That is, there are problems that the performance of various types of conventionally developed yarns is remarkably low or difficult to be applied due to a temperature change in a general environment.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary actuator capable of driving even in a temperature environment in a normal environment, reversible, fast, and continuously driven while solving the above problems, And has come to invent a typical driver.

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a polymer sheet comprising at least one polymer fiber or a polymer sheet formed by orienting the polymer fibers in one direction, wherein the at least one polymer fiber or polymer sheet is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion with respect to the inner side, Wherein at least one of the upper and lower ends of the at least one polymer fiber or polymer sheet is fixed to the upper and lower ends of the at least one polymer fiber or polymer sheet, And when a temperature gradient is generated in a portion different from the portion of the rotary actuator, a volume difference occurs between a portion of the rotary actuator and another portion of the rotary actuator, thereby generating a continuous rotation .

Specifically, the rotation of the rotatable driver may provide continuous rotation as the temperature gradient of the portion is different from that of the portion, the portion is expanded and loosened, and the other portion is rewound.

At this time, the rotary actuator converts the thermal energy into rotational energy by the temperature gradient by the shape formed by rotating the upper and lower ends of the at least one polymer fiber or the polymer sheet in the same direction, , It can be the most preferable form.

That is, since the rotatable actuator according to the present invention can generate a continuous flow of current if the temperature gradient can be continuously generated in the rotatable actuator from the temperature change of the ambient environment, So that the electric energy can be continuously generated.

The present invention employs a polymeric material with a structure capable of providing continuous rotation therefrom while allowing the temperature gradient to continuously occur in the rotary actuator.

That is, when a temperature gradient occurs in a portion other than the portion of the rotary actuator, the portion contracts in the vertical direction, and the polymer fiber or polymer sheet expands in the twisted radial direction, Other parts will be rewound relatively. Thereafter, the rotational energy of the other part that has been relatively excessively wound is partially transferred to rewind the part, so that the rotational actuator according to the present invention can provide continuous rotation.

The rotational actuator according to the present invention may include at least one polymer fiber or a polymer sheet formed by orienting the polymer fibers in one direction so as to be sensitive to heat.

The polymer fiber may be either short fiber or multifilament, and is not particularly limited as long as it is an elastic fiber having a shape memory effect, but is preferably any one selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene and rubber do. At this time, since the polyurethane among the polymer fibers can have the thinnest diameter through the electrospinning process, the rotation speed is most excellent when applied to the rotary actuator. Therefore, it is most preferable that the rotating type actuator according to the present invention uses polyurethane as the polymer fiber.

In addition, the polyurethane has excellent shape memory effect, which has a large thermal expansion between the glass transition temperature (T _g ) and the melting point (T _m ) and tends to return to the initial state according to the temperature change and has a glass transition temperature (T _g ) It is most preferable among the above-mentioned polymer fibers.

It is most preferable to use a polymer sheet formed by orienting the polymer fibers in one direction, rather than using only the short fiber or the multifilament polymer fibers. This is because the polymer sheet, which is sensitive to heat through the electrospinning, Is made of a fiber having micro-diameter to prepare a well-arranged sheet, and then the sheet is twisted to produce a heat-sensitive rotatable actuator.

When the diameter of the rotatable actuator exceeds 200 탆, the rotation speed greatly increases and the energy conversion efficiency decreases. When the diameter of the rotatable actuator is less than 0.5 탆, And there is a problem that the process is complicated and sensitive even if it is possible.

The rotating type actuator may include at least one polymer fiber or a polymer sheet formed by orienting the polymer fibers in one direction. When the rotating type actuator is made of the polymer fibers, the diameter of the polymer fibers is 0.5 to 200 [mu] m. That is, when the diameter of the polymer fibers is less than 0.5 탆, it is difficult to produce the polymer fibers having a uniform diameter, and when the diameter of the polymer fibers exceeds 200 탆, the rotation speed is remarkably decreased.

When the polymeric fiber is a polymer sheet formed by orienting the polymer fibers in one direction, if the diameter of the polymer fibers is less than 0.5 탆, it is difficult to control the polymer fibers to have a single orientation, and the diameter of the polymer fibers If it exceeds 200 탆, the rotational speed is remarkably lowered, and the rotational speed is remarkably lowered because a rotational type actuator having a diameter of 200 탆 or more is manufactured. Therefore, the diameter of the polymer fibers forming the polymer sheet is preferably 1 to 10 mu m.

Specifically, when the polymer sheet is used, twisted or coiled rotating type actuators are manufactured by applying twist to the polymer sheet formed by orienting the polymer fibers in one direction. The resulting polymer fibers are rearranged in the direction in which the twist is applied.

As described above, when the polymeric sheet forming the polymer sheet is provided with heat at a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer sheet in the manufactured rotative actuator, the shape of the polymer fiber to be recovered to the initial state (state before the twist is applied) The polymer chain tends to act according to the memory effect, and the polymer chain is twisted in the direction of increasing entropy.

In other words, since the shape of the polymer chain is the same as the original shape (the state before the twist is applied) due to the shape memory effect and the direction of increasing the entropy of the polymer chain, that is, the direction in which the polymer chain tends to twist, The above-described 'synergistic effect' of the two properties allows the rotary actuator to provide rotation with a larger stroke as the temperature gradient is generated.

Therefore, it is preferable to use the polymer sheet rather than the polymer fiber because of the above-described effect, because the polymer sheet rotates with a stroke larger than that of the rotatable type actuator manufactured by simply twisting polymer fibers.

Further, since the rotating type actuator including the polymer sheet having the unidirectional orientation is more oriented than the rotating type actuator formed by simply twisting at least one polymer fiber, has a large surface area and is more sensitive to heat, .

The polymer sheet having a unidirectional orientation in the rotary actuator is formed by electrospinning a polymer solution and at least one polymer fiber is oriented in one direction, and the manufacturing process is shown in detail in FIG.

Referring to Fig. 3, first, a polymer sheet in which at least one polymer fiber is oriented in a single direction can be produced through electrospinning. If the diameter of the polymer fibers is less than 0.5 탆, it is difficult to control the polymer fibers to have unidirectionality. If the diameter of the polymer fibers exceeds 200 탆 The rotational speed is remarkably lowered and the rotational speed is remarkably lowered because the rotational type driver having a diameter of 200 占 퐉 or more is manufactured. Therefore, the diameter of the polymer fibers forming the polymer sheet may be preferably 1 to 10 mu m.

More specifically, polymer fibers constituting the rotative actuator of the present invention or a polymer sheet formed of the polymer fibers can be produced by electrospinning the polymer spinning solution. By applying a high voltage to the polymer spinning solution, The branching can be carried out according to a known method as a process for producing a fiber. Basically, by using an electric force using static electricity and using a device such as a motor for the collector, the effect of stretching can also be imparted by mechanical force. However, in the present invention, the fiber produced through the electrospinning is most preferable. In order to manufacture a rotatable type actuator having excellent rotation speed and efficiency, the arrangement of the polymer chains in the rotatable type driver must be induced. When manufactured through electrospinning, the pulling force caused by electrospinning Can be produced by orienting the polymer fibers of a micro-diameter in a single direction by applying a twist, and can be derived simply and effectively by re-arranging the direction of the applied twist, that is, the spiral direction to be.

As described above, the polymer fibers constituting the polymer sheet oriented in the unidirectional direction can be produced by electrospinning, whereby a polymer chain oriented in a unidirectional direction can be derived. Here, the single direction means the longitudinal axis direction of the rotative actuator, and such orientation is shown in Fig.

Next, when a twist is applied to the polymer sheet having a unidirectional orientation as described above, the polymer sheet is twisted and the polymer chain oriented in the polymer sheet is also twisted in the twist direction. In other words, The orientations of the polymer chains that were in the single direction were rearranged according to the twist direction, i.e., the helical direction.

Due to the orientation of the polymer chain formed on the polymer sheet of the present invention, when a temperature gradient is generated in the rotatable actuator including the polymer sheet, the polymer chain having the orientation property tends to twist in the direction of increasing entropy The synergy effect of the two properties occurs because the memory effect causes the original shape (state to be listed) to return to the same direction. Therefore, the rotational type actuator can provide greater rotational energy, because the rotational type actuator shrinks in the longitudinal direction and the volume expands, leading to more ideal driving.

In order for the polymer fibers to have unidirectional orientation, the electrospinning is preferably electrospinning under the condition that the applied voltage is 10 to 20 kV when the distance between the spinning nozzle and the collector is 5 to 30 cm.

The upper end and the lower end of the polymer fiber or polymer sheet are fixed to the electric motor and the support, respectively, and the upper end and the lower end of the polymer fiber or polymer sheet are rotated in the same or opposite directions to each other to form a twisted or twisted rotary type actuator Can be manufactured. At this time, it is preferable that the polymer fiber or the polymer sheet is manufactured by rotating the polymer fiber or the polymer sheet at a twisting number of 2,000 to 60,000 turns / m at a temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature (T _g ). For example, when the polymer fiber or polymer sheet is polyurethane , Preferably 30 to 60 < 0 > C.

The temperature gradient between the portion of the rotatable type actuator and another portion is not particularly limited as long as it is 1 ° C or more, which provides a rotational speed, but preferably is 3 to 30 ° C, it is possible to provide a sufficiently high rotational speed.

In the present invention, the temperature gradient means that a temperature difference occurs in a direction from a specific point (a part) to another part, and the specific point is referred to as a part in the present invention.

Therefore, since the rotational actuator generates mechanical energy by the temperature gradient, the length or area of the portion at which the temperature is highest is not particularly limited, but specifically, the length ratio between the portion and the other portion is 0.1 -1: 1. At this time, the temperature of the other portion differs from that of the portion, that is, the temperature varies in the direction from the portion to the other portion, the portion is expanded and loosened, the other portion is rewound, Lt; / RTI > rotation.

When the temperature gradient is not generated and the whole is heated, no rotational energy is generated, and only a length change is generated. Therefore, when heated as a whole, no rotational force is provided.

When the proportion of the length occupied by the portion becomes significantly higher than that of the other portions, that is, when the entire portion is heated, only the reversible position energy (length change) is provided but no rotational energy is generated. In addition, it is impossible to provide continuous position energy, although it is reversible because the overall length is reduced again if the temperature is lowered again.

The maximum temperature of the rotatable type driver may be appropriately selected depending on the kind of the polymer fiber or polymer sheet included in the rotatable type driver. Preferably, the temperature is higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer fiber or polymer sheet But is not limited thereto. Preferably 20 to < RTI ID = 0.0 > 80 C, < / RTI > As an example, poly case of the rotary actuator produced by applying a polyurethane fiber is twisted in the polymer sheets oriented in one direction, is because the polyester glass transition temperature (T _g) of the urethane Geigy 30.6 ℃, 30 to 80 ℃ sufficient rotation Speed, and more preferably provides the best rotational speed at 45 to < RTI ID = 0.0 > 60 C. < / RTI >

The structure of the rotary actuator is shown in detail in FIG. More specifically, the rotary actuator is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion with reference to the inner side, and various types of rotary actuators can be manufactured according to the twist direction of the upper and lower ends.

As shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotatable type actuator are both formed in the same direction (Z type or S shape) or as shown in Figs. 1D and 1E, And the lower end portion may be in a form of being produced in different directions (one is Z-type and the other is S-type chiral structure).

The rotary actuator may have a twist (FIG. 1A) that is twisted until the coil is formed, or a coil (FIG. 1B, c, d and e).

In this specification, the terms "twist" and "coil" are used to apply rotation (twist) to the polymer fiber or polymer sheet constituting the rotative actuator using an electric motor And is determined by rotation (turn / m) (hereinafter also referred to as "twist number") applied according to the diameter of the polymer fiber or polymer sheet. More specifically, in the case of the polymer fiber having a diameter of 100 탆, twist is produced when 12,000 to 18,000 rpm (turn / m) is applied. On the other hand, (Turn / m) of more than 25,000 to 30,000, which is more than 25,000 to 30,000, is produced in the form of a twist and further a coil such as a spring or a coil. The required number of revolutions in the case of polymer fibers having diameters other than those shown in Table 1 below.

At this time, since the rotary actuator converts the thermal energy into rotational energy by the temperature gradient, the shape produced by rotating the upper and lower ends of the at least one polymer fiber or polymer sheet in the same direction is the most efficient , The most preferable form.

In addition, the rotary actuator may have a structure in which two ends are fixed or only one end is fixed, as shown in Figs. 1C and 1E, as shown in Figs. 1A, 1B and 1D. At this time, the other end which is not fixed may be provided with a position variation support.

Specifically, in the case of the rotational type actuator having two fixed ends as described above, when a temperature gradient occurs in the rotational type actuator, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of translational displacement, that is, position energy such as vertical movement, This is to prevent the twisted structure of the rotary actuator from being excessively loosened and becoming irreversible.

In the case where only one end is fixed and a position variation support is provided at the other end which is not fixed, if a temperature gradient occurs in the rotary actuator, a linear displacement such as a vertical movement, that is, In order to prevent the twisted structure of the rotary actuator from being excessively loosened and becoming irreversible.

In other words, if both the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotatable type actuator are fixed, only the rotational energy is generated due to the contraction or expansion of the rotatable type actuator caused by the temperature gradient, And when the position change support is provided at the other end which is not fixed, it has both the rotational energy and the potential energy due to the up / down movement due to the contraction or expansion of the rotative actuator caused by the temperature gradient.

Diameter of polymer fiber (탆) Staple fiber Twist Twisted shape
(coil) 80 Revolutions
(turn / m) 0 22,000 30,000 100 Revolutions
(turn / m) 0 18,000 25,000 120 Revolutions
(turn / m) 0 9,000 15,000

When both the upper and lower ends of the rotatable type actuator are fixed, the rotatable type actuator is preferably fixed after being stretched by 10 to 60% with respect to the entire length before being fixed. This is because a sufficient distance is formed between the coils of the rotary actuator when the upper and lower ends are both fixed after the rotary actuator is stretched in the above range.

That is, when a temperature gradient occurs in the rotatable type driver, a part of the rotatable type drive unit expands and rotates to generate rotational energy. At this time, due to the distance formed between the coils in the rotatable type driver, the friction between the coils is less generated, the surface area of the rotatable type driver is widened, more heat can be absorbed, thermal conversion efficiency is improved, It is possible to prevent the loss of the rotational force caused by the rotation.

In the case where only one of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotatable type actuator is fixed, a change in position energy due to the up-and-down movement of the rotatable type driver occurs due to a change in length of the rotatable type driver. That is, the change in length of the rotary actuator may be 10 to 60% of the total length.

Accordingly, the type of energy that is converted by the temperature gradient varies according to different structures of the rotative actuator, such as position energy or rotational energy, and the amount of rotational energy to be converted, that is, rotational angle, rotational speed, , And is suitably selected from the structures of the rotary actuator according to a desired use purpose.

The rotational actuator according to the present invention is driven depending on the temperature difference of the outside. The rotational actuator reacts more immediately to the temperature difference of the external environment around the actuator. The external environment of the actuator providing the temperature difference is not particularly limited, but may be preferably gas or liquid.

The rotational type actuator according to the present invention is substantially similar to the rotational speeds in two stages of untwisting and re-twisting, unlike the conventional various types of actuators capable of rotational driving.

A rotating module using a rotatable actuator according to the present invention can be calculated through Equation 1 below using torsional rigidity. The rotational vibration period before the rotation module is obtained can be calculated from the following equation (2).

[Formula 1]

S = k _Air (1 / (L _{Air, 1} ) + 2 / (L _{Air, 2} ))

Where k _Air is a rotation module,

L _{Air , 1} and L _{Air , 2} are the lengths at the same temperature.

[Formula 2]

t = 2? (I / S) ^1/2

In this formula,

t is a torsional oscillation period,

I is the moment of inertia of the paddle,

S is rigidity,

<Principle of Rotary Actuator>

The rotary actuator according to the present invention is for recovering thermal energy wasted from the surrounding environment as kinetic energy or rotational energy. That is, it can be driven not only in a place such as a heater or a cooler in which a temperature change is artificially or periodically generated, but also in a place such as a normal daily life in which the temperature change is insignificant. That is, in a place where the temperature change is insignificant, a slight temperature difference in the air such as convection occurs. Due to such a temperature difference, the temperature difference generated between a part of the inside of the rotative actuator and the other part, .

When the temperature gradient of the portion of the rotary actuator of the present invention is different from that of the portion of the rotary actuator, the portion contracts in the vertical direction, and the polymer fiber or polymer sheet expands in the twisted radial direction , But other portions except for the above part are rewound relatively. Thereafter, the rotational energy of the other part which has been excessively wound is transferred in part so that the part is rewound. Thus, the rotational actuator according to the present invention provides continuous rotation, It can be converted into mechanical energy such as rotational energy.

If the temperature gradient between the part of the rotatable type actuator and the other part is not less than 1 ° C, it is possible to provide a sufficient rotational speed, but the temperature gradient may preferably be 3 to 30 ° C to provide a good rotational speed.

The maximum temperature of the rotatable type driver may be appropriately selected depending on the kind of the polymer fiber or polymer sheet included in the rotatable type driver. Preferably, the temperature is higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer fiber or polymer sheet Although not particularly limited thereto, it is preferably 20 to 80 ° C to provide a rotational speed. As an example, poly case of the rotary actuator produced by applying a polyurethane fiber is twisted in the polymer sheets oriented in one direction, is because the polyester glass transition temperature (T _g) of the urethane Geigy 30.6 ℃, 30 to 80 ℃ sufficient rotation Speed, and more preferably provides the best rotational speed at 45 to &lt; RTI ID = 0.0 &gt; 60 C. &lt; / RTI &gt;

Since the rotary actuator generates mechanical energy by a temperature gradient, the length or area of the portion at which the temperature is highest or lowest is not particularly limited, but specifically, the length ratio between the portion and the other portion is 0.1- 1: 1 &lt; / RTI &gt; At this time, the temperature of the other part differs from the temperature of the part, that is, the temperature varies in the direction from the part to the other part.

FIG. 2 shows a driving principle in which the rotating type actuator according to the present invention generates a continuous temperature gradient from the temperature difference existing in the surrounding environment. At this time, the rotative actuator is twisted in the same direction in which the both ends are not fixed but the position variation support is attached, and a process is shown in which the temperature gradient of 40 deg. C and 53 deg.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the continuous temperature gradient is generated in the direction of the polyurethane sheet, the upper end is wound relatively more as the lower end is released.

That is, even if the ambient temperature is not heated or cooled, the rotational type actuator according to the present invention causes a difference in ambient temperature due to the convection, which causes a temperature gradient in the rotational type actuator of the present invention, It is possible to provide a large rotational energy and a potential energy in accordance with the up-and-down movement at the upper and lower ends, respectively.

<Energy harvesting device>

Another aspect of the invention relates to an energy harvesting device capable of converting thermal energy into electrical energy using a rotatable driver that provides continuous rotation by the temperature gradient.

4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an energy harvesting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, an energy harvesting apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4, the energy harvesting apparatus includes a rotatable driver 110 for providing continuous rotation by a temperature gradient. At least one magnetic body 120 located inside the rotatable type actuator 110 and rotating as the actuator 110 rotates; And at least one coil 130 disposed to be spaced apart from the rotatable type driver 110 and adapted to generate electric energy (magnetic force, current) by changing the magnetic flux passing through the inside of the magnetic body 120 while rotating.

The energy harvesting apparatus according to the present invention includes a rotatable actuator 110 which is generated according to a temperature gradient using a faraday electromagnetic induction operation in which a current is induced by relative movement between a magnetic body 120 and a coil 130, The rotating type actuator 110 having the above-described structure includes a magnetic body 120 therein, and the rotating type actuator 110, which is included in the rotating type actuator 110, The energy harvesting apparatus including the coil 130 disposed apart from the magnetic body 120 is configured such that when a temperature gradient occurs in a portion other than the portion of the rotatable type driver 110 from an external environment having a temperature difference such as convection , A volume difference occurs between a portion of the rotatable actuator and the other portion, resulting in a continuous rotation. More specifically, rotation of the rotatable actuator causes the portion Unwound is expanded, while the other portion to the forward again, is to provide a continuous rotation, the polarity of the magnetic body 120 to rotate with a stationary coil (130) intersect so as polarity electricity is generated. At this time, the upper end 140 and the lower end 150 of the driver 110 may be fixed, or only one of the upper end 140 and the lower end 150 may be fixed. At this time, the other non-fixed end may further include a position variation support 151.

The position variation support rod 151 is generally provided at the lower end of the rotatable type driver 110 to permit a translational displacement of the rotatable type driver 110 and an irreversible Thereby preventing untwist and providing a more stable rotational motion to the actuator. That is, the position variation support 151 applies stress to the rotary actuator 110 in the longitudinal direction to induce a change in length and tension, thereby making the structure easy to deform in accordance with a temperature gradient generated from an external temperature difference. Also, the rotation of the rotary actuator 150 caused by the temperature gradient prevents the position variation support 151 from loosening and induces generation of a large rotational force of the magnetic body.

The coil 130 is fixed by connecting a galvanometer system to both ends of the coil 130. When the magnetic body 120 is moved and the magnetic body 120 moves, the magnetic flux flowing through the coil 130 And the coil 130 is driven by an electromagnetic induction operation in which a current is induced in the coil 130 due to a change in the magnetic flux amount And the polarities of the electrodes cross each other to generate electricity.

More specifically, the coil 130 may be spaced a predetermined distance from one side of the rotatable actuator 110, as shown in FIG.

The magnetic body 120 is not limited to a permanent magnet, but a neodymium magnetic body is used in the present embodiment. The shape of the magnetic body 120 is not particularly limited, but may be a rod-like shape or a cylindrical shape with the NS poles on the right and left.

Since the weight of the magnetic body 120 is an important factor in controlling the rotational speed and the rotational energy according to the temperature gradient of the rotatable type driver 110 in the energy harvesting apparatus, ) Is preferably 1 to 1000 times. The rotational speed and the rotational energy of the rotary actuator 110 are reduced and the temperature gradient of the rotary actuator 110 generated from the external temperature difference is converted into a mechanical energy The efficiency is relatively reduced. Particularly, in the case of the rotary actuator 110 including polyurethane, since the rotational speed is fast but the rotational energy is low, in order to convert the rotational speed into electric energy while maintaining a good rotational speed, the weight of the magnetic body 120 Preferably 1 to 10 times.

The length of the rotatable actuator 110 is preferably 1 to 20 cm.

The spacing distance between the magnetic body 120 and the coil 130 is preferably 1 mm. If the spacing distance is less than 1 mm, the rotational force of the magnetic body may be lowered by the coil. Electric energy can be induced within the range of the magnetic field of the magnetic body. However, if the magnetic flux density exceeds 1 mm, the loss of the magnetic flux in the coil 130 is induced by the magnetic body 120, Occurs.

It is extremely easy to attach to the energy harvesting apparatus of the present invention by a component which is opened or closed according to temperature so that it can be adhered to a place where a narrow and high temperature heat such as a pipe is uniformly generated or where a warm wind is generated.

The energy harvesting apparatus includes a plate 170 having an opening / closing port; And a pin (160) connected to the actuator for generating opening and closing of the opening / closing port. This structure is shown in more detail in FIG.

The plate 170 with the closure is located at the end of the lower end 150 of the rotary actuator 110 and the pin 160 is fixed at a predetermined position of the lower end of the rotary actuator 150.

In FIG. 5, when the heat is applied to the rotary actuator 110 through the door provided in the plate 170, the rotary actuator 110 is rotated in the direction of unwinding. At this time, when the pin 160 fixed at an arbitrary position of the lower end portion 150 of the rotatable type driver 110 rotates to block the heat that has risen through the opening / closing port, the rotatable type driver 110 rotates around And is rotated in a twisted direction as the temperature decreases. The number of revolutions of the rotatable type driver 110 increases as the number of rotations increases toward the center with respect to both ends 140 and 150. The number of revolutions generated can be adjusted according to the position of the pin 160 and the weight of the pin 160 is not limited to a light weight that does not affect the rotational motion and torque of the rotatable type driver 110 .

Hereinafter, an energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig.

6 is a photograph showing a cross-section (a) of the energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention and a view (b) as viewed from above.

The energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is generally similar to the energy harvesting apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, but as shown in FIG. 6A, And is provided so as to surround the magnetic body 220 included in the typical driver 210. More specifically, the magnetic body 220 is connected to three coils 230 to surround the magnetic body 220 of the rotative actuator 210, and the coils 230 are connected to the coils 230, And means (231, 232, 233) for connecting to an external device are extended. The structure of the coil 230 is more specifically shown in FIG. 6B.

The coil 230 is disposed to surround the magnetic body 220 while being spaced apart from the magnetic body 220 of the rotative actuator 210 by a predetermined distance.

Hereinafter, an energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is generally similar to the energy harvesting apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, but as shown in FIG. 6A, (Not shown) of the upper and lower ends of the rotatable type driver 310 provided in the rotating device 300 is fixed and the end 350 not fixed is provided with a position variation support. In another embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic body 351 is provided.

The magnetic body 351 further includes a coil 352 that surrounds and surrounds the magnetic body 351.

When the energy harvesting device is exposed to a temperature difference due to energy circulation such as convection under external conditions such as air or liquid, the temperature of a part of the rotatable type driver 310 included in the energy- A gradient is generated, the portion is expanded and loosened, and the other portion is rewound to provide continuous vertical (length variation) and rotation (horizontal). At this time, the magnetic body 351 provided at one end of the rotatable type driver 310 has a vertical position energy change in accordance with a change in length of the rotatable type driver 310, The magnitude of the magnetic flux (magnetic field) flowing through the coil 352 is changed, and the current is induced in the coil 352 due to the change in the magnetic flux amount (magnetic field) The coil 352 generates electric power while the polarity of the coil 352 intersects with the polarity of the magnetic body 351. The change of the positional energy of the magnetic body 351 is converted into electric energy . &Lt; / RTI &gt;

The shape of the magnetic body 351 as the position variation support is not particularly limited, but a cylindrical magnetic body having an N pole S pole downward is most preferable.

Hereinafter, an energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is generally similar to the energy harvesting apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, but as shown in FIG. 8, The rotatable actuator 410 providing rotation; At least one coil 420 positioned within the rotatable type driver 410 and rotating as the rotatable type driver 410 rotates; And at least one magnetic body 430 spaced apart from the rotative actuator 410 and generating a magnetic field by changing the magnetic flux passing through the coil 420 while rotating the coil 420 .

The magnet 430 may be a rod-shaped magnet having N and S poles, or a magnet having an N pole and an S pole may be disposed on the left and right sides of the rotatable actuator 410 And may be disposed apart from the coil 420.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of transforming thermal energy into position energy using a rotatable actuator that is secured in a transverse axis and provides continuous rotation by a temperature gradient, The energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG.

9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, an energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The energy harvesting apparatus includes a rotatable driver 510 having both ends fixed in the horizontal axis and providing continuous rotation by a temperature gradient. Lifting means (520) provided at a central point in the rotatable type driver (510); At least one magnetic body 530 provided below the elevating means 520 and connected to the elevating means 520 and having a positional variation as the rotative actuator 510 rotates; And at least one coil 540 for generating an electric field by the upward and downward movement of the magnetic body 530.

The energy harvesting apparatus according to another embodiment having the above-described configuration converts the continuous rotational energy of the rotatable type driver 510 generated according to the temperature gradient to the potential energy using the elevating means 520, It can be generated as electric energy by using a faraday electromagnetic induction operation in which a current is induced by the relative movement between the magnetic body 530 and the coil 540. [

However, even if a means such as the coil 540 for converting the potential energy of the magnetic body 530 into electric energy is not included, the rotational energy in the rotational driving device 510 driven by the heat may be used as useful energy Day. However, in an embodiment of the present invention, the rotative actuator 510 is fixed on the horizontal axis, and further includes the magnetic body 530 and the coil 540 to generate energy. .

In other words, in the energy harvesting apparatus having the above-described configuration, when a temperature gradient occurs from a portion of the rotatable type driver 510 to another portion from an external temperature difference, the portion is expanded and loosened, The magnetic body 530 connected to the elevating means 520 is rotated by the elevating means 520 connected to the center point of the rotatable type driving device 510. Accordingly, (Vertical axis movement). This means that the thermal energy is converted to mechanical (rotational, position) energy by the rotary actuator according to the present invention.

The relative movement of the magnetic body 530 and the coil 540 induces a change in the magnetic flux passing through the coil 540 by the up and down movement of the magnetic body 530 to generate electric energy.

The coil 540 may be provided on the upper surface, the lower surface, or the side surface of the magnetic body 530, as long as the coil 540 is at a position capable of generating an electric field by the upward and downward movement of the magnetic body 530, May be a cylindrical structure that surrounds the side surface of the base 530.

A relative movement between the magnetic body 530 and the cylindrical coil 540 fixed to the magnetic body 530 occurs at the same time as the magnetic body 530 is moved to pass through the coil 540 Thereby inducing electric energy.

The elevating means 520 is not particularly limited as long as it is an apparatus capable of converting rotational energy into position energy, but may be a pulley.

The vertical moving distance of the magnetic body 530, that is, the longitudinal moving distance in the axial direction is preferably 0.1 to 3 cm.

The magnetic body 530 is not particularly limited as long as it is a permanent magnet, but more preferably it may be a rod-like rod having N and S poles, or may be cylindrical.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and the like, but the scope and content of the present invention can not be construed to be limited or limited by the following Examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. It is natural that it belongs to the claims.

&Lt; Example 1 > Preparation of a polyurethane rotating type actuator

1) Preparation of Polyurethane Spray Solution.

Polyurethane (SMP MM-2520, SMP Technologies Inc. from Japan) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (Aldrich) at room temperature for 7 days to prepare a polyurethane spraying solution. At this time, 5.5 wt% of polyurethane was dissolved in the total weight ratio of the spinning solution.

2) Electrospinning: Preparation of polyurethane sheet.

A polyurethane sheet having a unidirectional orientation was prepared by the electrospinning method of the polyurethane spinning solution prepared in the above step 1). At this time, the polyurethane spraying solution was supplied at a rate of 13 μl / min to a syringe pump (Kdscientific USA), and the irradiation nozzle was +11 kV by applying an applied voltage of 18 kV. It has a voltage of 7kV. The distance between the spinning nozzle and the collector is 20 cm. At this time, a voltage was applied using a high voltage DC power supply (WookyongTECH, Korea). At this time, the diameter of the polyurethane fibers constituting the polyurethane sheet is ~ 4.5 mu m.

3) Manufacture of rotary actuator

The polyurethane sheet produced through the electrospinning process in the step 2) was attached to a shaft of an electric motor having a flat rectangular pad and a fixed support. Rotary actuators were prepared by adding twist until the two fixed ends of the polyurethane sheet had an overall twisted shape at 40 ° C. More specifically, the rotatable type actuator is a coil type rotatable type actuator manufactured by twisting at a rotation speed of 25,000 trun / m in the same direction.

At this time, the rotary actuator is divided into an upper end portion and a lower end portion with reference to the inner side of the rotary actuator, and various types of rotary actuators can be manufactured according to the twist direction of the upper end portion and the lower end portion.

First, the upper and lower ends of the rotatable type actuator are twisted in the same direction (Z-shape or S-shape) or the upper and lower ends are manufactured in different directions (one is Z-shaped and the other is S-shaped) .

In addition, the rotary actuator may have a twisted twist until the coil is formed, or may have a coil by applying a further twist in the twisted twist.

&Lt; Examples 2 to 5 >

M 2 (Production Example 2), 21,000 turns / m (Production Example 3), 23,000 turens / m (Production Example 4), and 27,000 turns / m (Production Example 5) to produce a partially twisted twisted type or coil-shaped rotational type actuator.

Manufacturing example  1. Energy Harvesting  Device

An energy harvesting device capable of converting thermal energy into electrical energy was devised by using the rotatable type driver manufactured from Example 1 above. Its structure is shown in more detail in Fig.

Two ends of a rotatable actuator manufactured in Example 1 are fixed, and a magnetic body is located at the center of the rotatable actuator. And the coils disposed apart from the rotatable type driver were arranged to be spaced apart 1 mm from the magnetic bodies provided in the driving device to manufacture an energy harvesting device. At this time, the coil was connected to an oscilloscope, and the coil used for a general watch was used.

In the rotary actuator manufactured from the first embodiment, a temperature gradient is generated in the rotary actuator according to the difference existing in the temperature of the adjacent air, whereby the twist structure of the rotary actuator is released, The magnetic flux passing through the coil is changed through the induced magnetic body rotation, and the voltage with time induced is measured by an oscilloscope connected to the coil.

< Evaluation example  1.> Rotation speed  And the number of revolutions.

In order to measure the rotational speed of the rotary actuator, two methods are used. One is to use 1000 frames per second (Phantoms), and the other is to measure the change in the direction of the magnetic field.

To more specifically describe a method for measuring the change in the direction of the magnetic field, it is preferable that, by attaching a magnetic body to the center of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotatable type actuator manufactured from Embodiment 1, when the rotatable type driver is driven in accordance with the temperature gradient, . &Lt; / RTI &gt; Thereby, a voltage is generated from a coil installed around the rotary actuator, and the voltage will be recorded through an oscilloscope.

That is, the number of frequencies (Hz) and the number of peaks of the voltage signal related to the rotation speed and the number of revolutions of the rotary actuator can be confirmed with time. The rotation peak per minute is calculated as the highest frequency (Hz) x 60. Both methods show the same results.

&Lt; Evaluation Example 2 > Analysis of Physical Characteristics of Rotary Actuator.

1) Morphological analysis

The morphology was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (FE SEM, Hitachi S4700).

2) Dynamic mechanical analysis

To analyze the thermal characteristics of the rotary actuator, a dynamic mechanical analyzer (Seiko Exstar 6000) was used. At this time, the temperature was measured using a thermocouple.

10 shows the results of measuring the rotational speed (?) And rotational angle (?) Of the rotational actuator (12 cm length, 100 탆 diameter) manufactured from Example 1 having a temperature gradient of 53 ° C. at the lower end Graph.

As shown in FIG. 10, it was confirmed that the rotation speed and the rotation angle were increased according to the temperature difference (7 to 13 ° C) between the upper end portion and the lower end portion due to the temperature gradient of the rotational type actuator of Example 1. As a result, it can be seen that the temperature difference between the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotational type actuator according to the present invention provides the rotational speed from 1 ° C or more. It can be seen that a sufficient rotational speed of about 1,000 rpm is provided from 3 ° C or more. Therefore, it can be seen that the rotational type actuator according to the present invention can provide rotational energy, that is, rotational speed, at 1 ° C or more, and can provide excellent rotational speed and rotational angle at 3 to 30 ° C, More preferably 9 to 13 占 폚.

Fig. 11 is a graph showing the results obtained when the rotating type actuator (12 cm in length, 100 탆 in diameter) manufactured in Example 1 was used when the temperature difference between the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotatable type actuator was fixed at 13 캜 and the lower end temperature was 40 to 60 캜, (2) of the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11, the rotating type actuator of Example 1 was made of polyurethane. Since the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polyurethane was 30.6 ° C, the temperature difference between the upper end portion and the lower end portion was equal to 13 ° C , It was confirmed that the rotational type actuator of Example 1 can provide a sufficient rotational speed when the glass transition temperature (T _g ) of 30 ° C or more is provided. However, it is possible to provide the best rotary stroke at the lower end temperature of 45 to 60 ° C.

Accordingly, the rotational type actuator according to the present invention can provide a sufficient rotational speed at 30 ° C or more, preferably 40 ° C or more, and more preferably 43 ° C or more to have a rotational speed of 3,000 rpm or more. However, since the rotation speed gradually decreases from 60 占 폚 or more, it is preferably up to about 80 占 폚, and more preferably 60 占 폚 or less, which provides a sufficient rotation speed.

The rotatable actuators according to the present invention have different shapes such as twisted, partially twisted and twisted depending on the applied twist (rotation). At this time, the performances of the rotary actuators of the different types are compared. Specifically, FIG. 12 is a graph showing the rotation speed when the temperature difference between the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotational type actuators manufactured in Examples 1 to 5 of different types is 10 ° C. and the temperature of the lower end portion is 52 ° C. to be. Here, the rotative actuators were all manufactured to have a diameter of 100 μm and a length of 8 cm.

As shown in Fig. 12, it can be seen that the rotatable type actuator manufactured from the totally twisted embodiment 1 has the best rotation speed. However, the rotational type actuators manufactured from Examples 2 to 5 are also shown with a sufficient rotational speed of 1,000 rpm or more.

That is, it can be seen that a rotatable actuator having a sufficiently high rotation speed can be manufactured when the applied twist (rotation) in the manufacturing process is 19,000 to 35,000 turns / m. It can be seen that a rotatable actuator having a rotation speed of 2,000 rpm or more is manufactured It is preferably 21,000 to 30,000 turns / m.

13 is a graph showing the results of measurement of rotational speed and rotational energy for each of the rotatable actuators by fixing the rotatable actuators manufactured in Example 1 with 0 to 50% Fig.

As shown in FIG. 13, it was found that the rotational speed per length and the rotational energy per length were significantly improved as the percentage of the tension applied to the overall length before the rotation of the rotational actuator of Example 1 was increased.

In particular, at 0%, the rotation speed is 100 rpm / cm, but the rotation energy is too low. Specifically, it can be seen that the rotational speed and the rotational energy per length of the rotating type actuator fixed by 50% are 0 and 3 times and 13 times better than the rotational speed and rotational energy per fixed length of the rotational type actuator, have. Therefore, it is preferable that the rotating type actuator according to the present invention is fixed by 10 to 50% tensile with respect to the whole length before being fixed.

As such, when the rotary actuator is tensioned and fixed, a clearance is provided between the coils, and the amount of heat absorbed through the coils is increased. Also, as the tensile strength increases in the untwist direction, the friction between the coils caused by thermal expansion is reduced.

For the same reason, the rotatable type actuator according to the present invention can quickly react even at a low temperature, can rotate rapidly, and can provide a large rotation angle.

Fig. 14 is a graph showing the results of measuring the rotational speed and torsional energy according to the moment of inertia by attaching the paddle to the center of the rotative actuator manufactured in Example 1, to be. At this time, the rotation energy was calculated by the following equation (3).

[Formula 3]

1/2 (I? ² )

Where I is the moment of inertia and? Is the angular velocity.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the case of the rotatable type actuator having the optimized moment of inertia, the rotation speed of 3,000 rpm was high.

In addition, it is confirmed that the diameter and the rotational energy of the rotative actuator increase proportionally, because the surface area increases as the diameter of the rotative actuator increases. However, it can be seen that as the diameter of the rotary actuator increases, the rotation speed gradually decreases.

Specifically, in order to optimize the moment of inertia of the rotary actuator, it is understood that the rotary actuator has a sufficient rotation speed of 1,000 rpm or more when the diameter of the rotary actuator is 60 to 120 탆.

15 is a graph showing rotation speed and rotational energy of the rotatable type actuator manufactured from Example 1 according to the length. At this time, the diameter of the rotary actuator of Example 1 is 100 占 퐉, the average temperature is 46 占 폚, and the temperature difference is 1.08 占 폚 / cm.

As shown in FIG. 15, it was confirmed that as the length of the rotary actuator of Example 1 became longer, the rotational energy and rotational speed also increased. This is because the rotational energy of the rotary actuator is the square of the angular velocity.

This confirms that the rotational actuator of the present invention exhibits a very high rotational speed of 4,285 rpm and a rotational energy density per length of 7.47 nJ / cm when having an optimum moment of inertia of 100 탆 diameter and 12 ㎝ length And that the rotatable actuator is not particularly limited as long as it has a length of 6 cm or more in order to have a sufficient rotation speed of about 2,000 rpm.

16 is a graph showing the results of measuring the rotational speed of each cycle when the rotational type actuator manufactured from Example 1 in which the temperature of the lower end portion was 53 ° C and the temperature difference between the lower end portion and the upper end portion was 13 ° C for 8 hours in total to be.

Here, the rotary actuator further includes paddles between the upper and lower ends to generate an appropriate torque. The paddles were 20 times heavier than the total weight of the rotatable actuators.

At this time, rotation angle (□) and rotation speed (□) for one cycle of untwisting and twisting by the temperature gradient of the rotary actuator are measured and shown in the interpolation graph.

As shown in FIG. 16, it was confirmed that the rotary actuator exhibited reversible and constant rotation driving without deteriorating performance for 8 hours.

In addition, the initial velocity change of the paddles was 754 고, which is 15 times better than that of the carbon nanotube chamber driven by the electrochemical bi-layer potential (Non-Patent Document 1).

The torque of the rotary actuator 1 mg is 11 nN? M, and the initial paddle speed? And the moment of inertia of the paddle (I = 1/4 MR2 +? // 12 ML2 where M is the paddle mass, R Is the radius, and L is the length).

[Formula 4]

τ = I + α

17 is a graph showing the relationship between the voltage (black line) and the average temperature (blue line) generated over time of the energy harvesting apparatus according to Production Example 1 having a magnetic body between the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotative actuator manufactured in Example 1 Fig. At this time, the interpolated graph shows an example of the energy harvesting device capable of converting heat energy into electric energy.

The energy harvesting apparatus further comprises two coils and one magnetic body, wherein the magnetic body uses neodymium, the weight of which is adjusted to have an optimal moment of inertia, the size of the coil Taking into account the magnetic field of the magnetic body.

As shown in FIG. 17, the energy harvesting apparatus manufactured through the above process can generate a voltage according to the temperature.

18 is a graph showing a voltage generated over time when a temperature gradient of 12 占 폚 is generated through convection using a heat plate at an energy harvesting apparatus according to Production Example 1 (average temperature: 46 占 폚).

As shown in FIG. 18, when a temperature gradient of 12 DEG C occurred, the voltage generated in the energy harvesting device was 0.81 V, and the rotation speed of the magnetic material of the energy harvesting device was 4,200 rpm.

19 is a graph showing an electric force and a voltage measured according to a resistance of the energy harvesting apparatus according to Production Example 1. FIG.

The energy harvesting apparatus having the same condition as that of FIG. 18 has an external resistance of 31 k ?, and has a power of 0.43? J and a power of 4 ?. This is confirmed by impedance matching.

The efficiency of conversion of the rotational energy of the energy harvesting device based on the rotary type actuator into electric energy is 9.3%, which is calculated from the following equation (5).

[Formula 5]

In this formula,

V is the generated voltage when having an external resistor,

I is the moment of inertia,

ω is the rotational angular velocity.

FIG. 20 is a graph showing a rectified voltage signal obtained by rectifying the voltage generated from another energy harvesting device by a connection rectifier in Production Example 1 under the same condition as FIG. The interpolated drawing is a view of the rectifying circuit.

The energy harvesting apparatus based on the rotatable actuator according to the present invention has a force of 1.1 mW / cm3 and an energy of 0.11 mJ / cm3, which is remarkably superior to that of the energy harvesting apparatus using the conventional temperature change .

For example, the expansion of the polymer and the piezoelectric ZnO produce a force of 0.285 mW / cm3 from the temperature change of 43 DEG C (non-patent document 4), and the hybrid SMA and the piezoelectric system generate energy of 13.84 mu J / (Non-Patent Document 5).

The AC voltage generated by an irregular temperature gradient in the energy harvesting device was regulated by a conventional connection rectifier. The regulated voltage was 0.28 V because the voltage was down by the connected rectifier.

Claims (22)

At least one polymer fiber or a polymer sheet formed by orienting the polymer fibers in one direction,
Wherein the at least one polymer fiber or polymer sheet comprises an upper portion and a lower portion with respect to an inner side,
At least one of the upper and lower ends of the at least one polymer fiber or polymer sheet is fixed,
Wherein the at least one polymer fiber or polymer sheet has twisted or twisted coils manufactured by rotating the upper and lower ends in the same or opposite directions,
Wherein when a temperature gradient of a portion of the rotational actuator is different from a portion of the rotational actuator, a volume difference occurs between a portion of the rotational actuator and another portion, thereby generating a continuous rotation. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the polymer fiber is any one selected from the group consisting of polymer materials such as nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene and rubber. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein a temperature gradient between a part of the rotatable type actuator and another part is 1 DEG C or more. The method according to claim 1,
And the diameter of the rotatable type actuator is 0.5 to 200 탆. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the maximum temperature of the rotary actuator is 20 to 80 占 폚. The method according to claim 1,
In the at least one polymer fiber, or when the upper and lower ends of the polymer sheet is rotated in the same direction or in opposite directions to each other be made of a rotatable actuator, the polymer fibers or at least the glass transition (T _g) temperature of the polymer sheet, 2,000 to Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 &gt; 60,000 turns / m. &Lt; / RTI &gt; The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the rotatable actuator is tensioned by 10 to 60% of its total length before being fixed. A two-ply structure rotary actuator having a two-ply structure composed of two rotatable actuators according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and acting as one strand. A rotatable actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, which provides continuous rotation by a temperature gradient;
At least one magnetic body or coil located at a point in the rotary actuator and rotating as the rotary actuator rotates; And
And at least one coil or magnetic body spaced apart from the rotary actuator. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the magnetic body rotates as the rotatable type actuator rotates by the temperature gradient, and induces a change in magnetic flux passing through the coil to generate electric energy. 10. The method of claim 9,
The magnetic body is a permanent magnet,
Wherein the weight of the magnetic body is 1 to 1000 times the weight of the rotative actuator. 10. The method of claim 9,
The rotary actuator may have both ends fixed or only one end fixed,
Further comprising a position variation support at one of the non-fixed ends of the rotary actuator when the rotary actuator has only one end fixed. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the position variation support base is a magnetic body,
And a coil surrounding the position variation support, the coil being surrounded by the position variation support,
Wherein when the rotary actuator is pulled and contracted according to the temperature gradient, the position variation support moves horizontally to change the magnetic flux passing through the coil, thereby generating electric energy. 10. The method of claim 9,
A plate attached to either the lower end or the upper end of the energy harvesting device;
Wherein said plate includes an opening and closing port for causing opening and closing,
And at least one pin located at one point of the rotative actuator and spaced apart from the plate and having the same shape as the opening and closing port. 15. The method of claim 14,
The rotative actuator is rotated in accordance with the temperature gradient,
Wherein the pin is positioned at a horizontal position spaced apart from the opening / closing port by rotation of the rotatable type driver, thereby blocking the flow of air flowing from the opening / closing port. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the spacing between each plate having the opening and closing part and the fin is 0.1 to 3 cm. The rotary actuator according to claim 1 or 8, wherein both ends are fixed on the horizontal axis and rotated by a temperature gradient;
Elevating means provided at a central point in the rotative actuator;
At least one magnetic body provided below the elevating means and connected to the elevating means and having a positional variation as the rotative actuator rotates; And
And at least one coil for generating an electric field by the up and down movement of the magnetic body. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the coil is a cylindrical shape surrounding a side surface of the magnetic body. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the coil is located on a side surface or a lower surface of the magnetic body to generate an electric field by the upward and downward movement of the magnetic body. 18. The method of claim 17,
The magnetic body has a vertical movement as the rotary actuator rotates by a temperature gradient,
Wherein a change in the position of the magnetic body causes a variation in distance between the coil and the magnetic body to induce a change in magnetic flux passing through the coil to generate electric energy. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the magnetic material has a vertical movement distance of 0.1 to 3 cm. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the elevating means is a device for converting rotational energy into position energy.

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