WO2023189078A1

WO2023189078A1 - Transducer

Info

Publication number: WO2023189078A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/006801
Authority: WO
Inventors: 智也永沼; 智則平林; 将之豊田
Original assignee: マクセル株式会社
Priority date: 2022-03-29
Filing date: 2023-02-24
Publication date: 2023-10-05

Abstract

Provided is a transducer which can achieve complicated deformation and deformation suitable for various purposes. A transducer 1 comprises a non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 and a dielectric elastomer molded body 3 which is provided adjacent to the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 and deforms in response to voltage application. In addition, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 includes an electrode 4 and an electrode 5. The electrode 4 and the electrode 5 are patterned and disposed so that the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 deforms in a desired shape. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve complicated deformation and deformation suitable for various purposes. In addition, the flow or flow rate of a fluid W in a flow path is controlled due to the deformation of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3.

Description

transducer

The present disclosure relates to transducers using dielectric elastomers.

Conventionally, dielectric elastomers have been used for various purposes, such as medical and nursing care devices such as artificial muscles, power generation devices, sensors, and speakers.

International Publication No. 2018/007441 (Patent Document 1) discloses a shape deforming device. The shape deforming device has a deformable surface. The shape-deforming device includes: a compliant material member having a volume; a plurality of electroactive polymer microparticles distributed within the volume of the compliant material member and adapted to deform in response to application of an electrical stimulus; It has one or more electrode arrangements for applying electrical stimulation to the plurality of electroactive polymers, and a controller for controlling the electrode arrangements. The electrical stimulation induces different actuation responses in different regions of the compliant material member. This results in a non-uniform deformation profile on the deformable surface. US Pat. No. 5,001,301 discloses a dielectric elastomer as an example of a device using an electroactive polymer. The shape-changing device is manufactured by dispensing a plurality of microparticles of electroactive polymer into a flexible material and then forming a compliant material member from the flexible material in which these microparticles are embedded by a compound extrusion process. be done.

International Publication No. 2018/007441

However, shape-changing devices have a plurality of fine electroactive polymer particles dispersed within the volume of a conformable material member, and the shape is changed by changing the area to which electrical stimulation is applied, resulting in complex deformation and And it is difficult to realize modifications suitable for various purposes.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a transducer that can realize complex deformation and deformation suitable for various purposes using a dielectric elastomer.

In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure is configured as follows. That is, the transducer according to the present disclosure may include a non-dielectric elastomer molded body and a dielectric elastomer molded body that is provided adjacent to the non-dielectric elastomer molded body and deforms in response to an applied voltage.

According to the transducer according to the present disclosure, complex deformation and deformation suitable for various purposes can be realized using a dielectric elastomer.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a transducer according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the transducer shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing how the transducer shown in FIG. 1 is deformed. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a transducer according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing how the transducer shown in FIG. 4 is deformed. FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a transducer according to a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a land sacer according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a transducer according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing how the transducer shown in FIG. 7 is deformed. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a transducer according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a transducer according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the state of the wiring. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the wiring.

A transducer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a non-dielectric elastomer molded body and a dielectric elastomer molded body that is provided adjacent to the non-dielectric elastomer molded body and deforms in response to an applied voltage.

This makes it possible to realize complex deformations and deformations suitable for various purposes. Further, a transducer can be easily formed.

The dielectric elastomer molded body may include a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode may be patterned so that the dielectric elastomer molding deforms into a desired shape. This makes it possible to realize modifications for various purposes.

The dielectric elastomer molded body may control the controlled object by its deformation. Thereby, the object to be controlled can be controlled by deforming the dielectric elastomer molded body.

The non-dielectric elastomer molded body may form a channel through which fluid flows. A dielectric elastomer molded body may be provided in the flow path. The controlled object may be a fluid flowing within the flow path. Thereby, the fluid can be controlled by deformation of the dielectric elastomer molded body.

The dielectric elastomer molded body may be provided in the flow path so as to be continuous with the non-dielectric elastomer molded body and form a part of the flow path. The dielectric elastomer molded body may control fluid by deforming in a direction transverse to the direction of fluid flow. Thereby, the flow direction of the fluid can be controlled.

The distance between the first electrode and the second electrode may gradually change along the flow direction. By arranging the first electrode and the second electrode asymmetrically, various modifications can be realized depending on the purpose.

The dielectric elastomer molded body may be provided on the inner wall surface of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body that forms the flow path. The dielectric elastomer molded body may expand and contract within the flow path to open and close the flow path. Thereby, the transducer can be used as an on-off valve.

The first and second electrodes may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes.

The transducer includes a sensor that detects the state of the controlled object and a control section that deforms the dielectric elastomer molded body into a desired shape based on the state of the controlled object detected by the sensor and controls the state of the controlled object. and may be provided. Thereby, the state of the controlled object can be appropriately controlled according to the actual state of the controlled object.

The non-dielectric elastomer molded body may form a channel through which fluid flows. A dielectric elastomer molded body may be provided in the flow path. The controlled object may be a fluid flowing within the flow path. The sensor may be disposed on the downstream side in the fluid flow direction with respect to the dielectric elastomer molded body, and may detect either the flow rate or the flow velocity of the fluid. The control unit may change the dielectric elastomer molded body into a desired shape based on at least one of the flow rate and flow rate detected by the sensor, and control the state of the fluid to have at least one of the desired flow rate and flow rate. . Thereby, the state of the fluid can be appropriately controlled according to the actual flow rate or flow velocity of the fluid.

The transducer may include a fluid sending section that is disposed upstream in the flow direction with respect to the dielectric elastomer molded body and sends fluid toward the dielectric elastomer molded body. The control unit may operate the fluid sending unit based on at least one of the flow rate and flow rate detected by the sensor, and may control the state of the fluid to be at least one of the desired flow rate and flow rate. Thereby, the state of the fluid can be controlled more appropriately according to the actual flow rate or flow rate of the fluid.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the transducer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be specifically described using FIGS. 1 to 3. First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a transducer 1 is comprised of a non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 and a dielectric elastomer molded body 3.

The non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 has a cylindrical shape. The non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 is made of a flexible material that can be elastically deformed, such as silicone elastomer, acrylic elastomer, and urethane elastomer. The non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 forms a flow path through which the fluid W flows in the flow direction F in its internal space. The fluid W is a liquid and a gas, and is a controlled object controlled by the transducer 1.

The dielectric elastomer molded body 3 has a cylindrical shape that is adjacent to and continuous with the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2. The dielectric elastomer molded body 3 is made of a flexible material that can be elastically deformed, such as silicone elastomer, acrylic elastomer, and urethane elastomer. The dielectric elastomer molded body 3 constitutes a part of the flow path together with the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2. The dielectric elastomer molded body 3 includes an electrode 4 provided on its outer wall surface (outer peripheral surface) and an electrode 5 provided on its inner wall surface (inner peripheral surface). The dielectric elastomer molded body 3 deforms in response to the voltage applied to the

electrodes

4 and 5.

The

electrodes

4 and 5 have a sheet shape and are adhered to the surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3. However, the

electrodes

4 and 5 may be films formed on the surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 by a method such as vapor deposition. The electrode 4 and the electrode 5 are made of a flexible material that is electrically conductive and can be elastically deformed. That is, the

electrodes

4 and 5 are made of a material that can be deformed following the deformation of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3. The

electrodes

4 and 5 are made of, for example, a resin material containing a conductive filler. Electrode 4 and electrode 5 contain at least one selected from the group consisting of silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes as a conductive filler. Silver nanowires are transparent and can be suitably used to make the transducer 1 transparent.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 deforms in a direction intersecting the flow direction F of the fluid W, here, in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction F, when a voltage is applied. That is, in the dielectric elastomer molded body 3, the electrode 4 contracts toward the electrode 5 in the thickness direction (radial direction) connecting the

electrodes

4 and 5 due to the Coulomb force generated between the

electrodes

4 and 5, and the thickness decreases. Since it extends in the direction perpendicular to the flow direction (flow direction F), it deforms so as to protrude inward in the radial direction of the flow path. Then, the fluid W is pushed by the dielectric elastomer molded body 3, and flows in both directions (left and right directions in the figure) centering on the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 in the flow direction F, as shown by the arrows in the figure.

In this way, the transducer 1 can control the flow of the fluid W by combining the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 and the dielectric elastomer molded body 3. That is, the transducer 1 can function as a pump that controls the flow of the fluid W. The flow rate of the fluid W can also be adjusted by deforming the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 radially inward while the fluid W is flowing in one flow direction F.

Note that the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 and the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 may be integrally molded, and then the

electrodes

4 and 5 may be formed. They may be formed separately and then combined. In this way, the transducer 1 can be easily formed.

(Second embodiment)
Next, the transducer 1 of the second embodiment will be specifically described using FIG. 4. Note that, here, description of the same configuration as the transducer 1 of the first embodiment will be omitted, and basically only the configuration that is different from the transducer 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

The transducer 1 of the second embodiment differs from the transducer 1 of the first embodiment in the shape of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 and the arrangement of the

electrodes

4 and 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 has a semi-cylindrical shape including a semi-conical surface that slopes from the inner wall surface to the outer wall surface of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 in the flow direction F. The semi-conical surface constitutes the outer peripheral surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3. The inner wall surface (inner peripheral surface) of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 that comes into contact with the fluid W is formed flush with the inner wall surface of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 . That is, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 has a thickness that gradually increases in the flow direction F. The outer circumferential surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2, which is formed into a semi-conical surface.

The electrode 4 is arranged along the outer peripheral surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 so as to be inclined with respect to the flow direction F. The electrodes 5 are arranged parallel to the flow direction F along the inner peripheral surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3, so that the distance between the

electrodes

4 and 5 gradually increases along the flow direction F. It is changing to become larger. Note that the distance between the

electrodes

4 and 5 may change so that it gradually becomes smaller along the flow direction F, or may change so that it becomes larger and then becomes smaller. It suffices if they are arranged so that they change into a desired shape.

As shown in FIG. 5, when a voltage is applied, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 moves inward in the radial direction and in a direction slightly inclined to the flow direction F, as the distance between the

electrodes

4 and 5 gradually increases. Transform to protrude. Then, the fluid W is pushed by the dielectric elastomer molded body 3, causing a slightly inclined flow in the flow direction F, as shown by the arrow in the figure. Therefore, the fluid W flows in the flow direction F (flow to the right in the figure).

In this way, the transducer 1 can control the flow of the fluid W. Further, the transducer 1 can have a plurality of dielectric elastomer molded bodies 3 according to the second embodiment arranged therein. Thereby, the fluid W can be caused to flow continuously in the flow direction F in the flow path.

(Third embodiment)
Next, the transducer 1 of the third embodiment will be specifically described using FIG. 6. Note that, here, description of the same configuration as the transducer 1 of the second embodiment will be omitted, and basically only the configuration that is different from the transducer 1 of the second embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 6, the transducer 1 of the third embodiment has a cylindrical dielectric elastomer molded body 3, unlike the transducer 1 of the second embodiment, which has a semicylindrical dielectric elastomer molded body 3. . That is, in the transducer 1 of the third embodiment, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 is provided in the entire circumferential direction of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2. The outer peripheral surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 is constituted by an inclined conical surface as in the second embodiment. The transducer 1 can cause the fluid W to flow in the flow direction F, similarly to the transducer 1 of the second embodiment.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, the transducer 1 of the fourth embodiment will be specifically described using FIG. 7. Note that, here, description of the same configuration as the transducer 1 of the first embodiment will be omitted, and basically only the configuration that is different from the transducer 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, the transducer 1 of the fourth embodiment differs from the transducer 1 of the first embodiment in that the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 is provided on the outer periphery of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2. In the fourth embodiment, the electrode 5 provided on the inner wall surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2.

When a voltage is applied to the dielectric elastomer molded body 3, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 contracts radially inward and expands in the axial direction. Then, following the expansion of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3, the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 also expands. Thereby, the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 can be deformed so as to protrude radially inward. As a result, similarly to the transducer 1 of the first embodiment, it is possible to cause the fluid W to flow in both directions in the flow direction F as shown in FIG.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, the transducer 1 of the fifth embodiment will be specifically described using FIGS. 8 and 9. As shown in FIG. 8, the transducer 1 includes a non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2, a dielectric elastomer molded body 3, an electrode 4, and an electrode 5. Note that the materials of each of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3, the electrode 4, and the electrode 5 are the same as those of the transducer 1 of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 has a cylindrical shape and forms a flow path for the fluid W flowing through its internal space.

The dielectric elastomer molded body 3 is provided adjacent to the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2. The dielectric elastomer molded body 3 functions as an on-off valve in the flow path of the fluid W. The dielectric elastomer molded body 3 has a cylindrical shape, as shown in FIG. The inner circumferential surface of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 and the outer circumferential surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 are adhered. The dielectric elastomer molded body 3 has an inner circumferential surface that gradually slopes outward from the upstream (left side in the figure) to the downstream (right side in the figure) of the flow path. That is, the thickness of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 gradually decreases from upstream to downstream. No voltage is applied to the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 shown in FIG. 8, and the inner peripheral surfaces of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 are pressed together in a relatively thick region on the upstream side and are in contact with each other. . Further, the outer circumferential surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 is adhered to the inner circumferential surface of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 via an electrode 4 . In this way, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 closes the flow path when no voltage is applied.

The electrode 4 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3. The electrode 4 has a cylindrical shape and is arranged between the inner circumferential surface of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 and the outer circumferential surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3. The electrode 5 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3. That is, the electrode 5 has a truncated conical shape.

As shown in FIG. 9, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 contracts radially outward and expands in the flow direction F when a voltage is applied. As a result, the closed state of the flow path is released, and the fluid W begins to flow in the flow direction F.

In this way, the transducer 1 combines the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 and the dielectric elastomer molded body 3, so that the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 can function as an on-off valve and control the flow of the fluid W. .

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, the transducer 1 of the sixth embodiment will be specifically described using FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the transducer 1 is composed of a non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2, a dielectric elastomer molded body 3 including an electrode 4, and an electrode 5. As shown in FIG. Note that the materials of each of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3, the electrode 4, and the electrode 5 are the same as those of the transducer 1 of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 has a recess 21, a recess 22, and a groove-shaped flow path 23 on its upper surface. The recess 21 and the recess 22 are connected by a flow path 23. A pair of dielectric elastomer molded bodies 3 facing each other is provided on the inner wall surface of the flow path 23 . The dielectric elastomer molded body 3 is provided with

electrodes

4, 4 and

electrodes

5, 5, respectively. The electrodes 4 are each provided on the surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 on the flow path 23 side. The electrodes 5 are each provided on the surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 on the side opposite to the flow path 23 side. As shown in FIG. 10, each of the dielectric elastomer molded bodies 3, electrodes 4, and electrodes 5 are accommodated by cutting out the inner wall surface of the flow path 23. The contact surface of the electrode 5 with the fluid W and the inner wall surface of the flow path 23 are formed flush with each other.

The dielectric elastomer molded body 3 tends to expand in the flow direction F when a voltage is applied. However, as described above, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 is accommodated by cutting out the inner wall surface of the flow path 23 and is in contact with the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 in the direction of expansion, so that the expansion in the flow direction F is limited. limited. As a result, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 deforms so as to protrude from the inner wall surface of the flow path 23.

By deforming the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 in this way, the transducer 1 can control the flow of the fluid W in the same manner as in the first to fifth embodiments described above.

Note that this embodiment is merely an example for explaining the groove-shaped flow path 23. The groove-shaped flow path 23 is not limited to this embodiment.

As mentioned above, the transducer 1 of the first to sixth embodiments has been described. In this way, the transducer 1 of the present disclosure is configured such that the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 and the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 are adjacent to each other, so that complex deformation can be performed more directly, and various types of deformations can be performed. It is possible to realize transformations suitable for purposes. That is, the

electrodes

4 and 5 are arranged in a pattern as shown in the first to sixth embodiments according to various purposes, and by changing this arrangement pattern, the dielectric elastomer molded body can be appropriately formed. 3 can be transformed into a desired shape.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, the transducer 1 of the seventh embodiment will be specifically described using FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the transducer 1 includes a dielectric elastomer molded body 3 including a non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2, an electrode 4, and an electrode 5, a fluid feed section 6, a sensor 7, and a control section 8. configured. The non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3, the electrodes 4, and the electrodes 5 are made of the same material as the transducer 1 of the first embodiment, and the patterns of the

electrodes

4 and 5 described above are the same. The same applies to appropriately changing the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 into a desired shape by the arranged arrangement, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The fluid feed section 6 is arranged on the upstream side of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 in the flow direction F. The fluid feeding section 6 may be any device that allows the fluid W to flow in one direction toward the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 . The fluid sending unit 6 is, for example, an on-off valve, a screw pump, a motor pump, a piston pump, or the like. Although not particularly illustrated, a drive section for operating the fluid sending section 6 may be provided separately.

The sensor 7 is arranged on the downstream side of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 in the flow direction F. The sensor 7 detects the state of the controlled object on the downstream side of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3. In the present embodiment, the sensor 7 detects at least one or both of the flow rate and flow velocity of the fluid W flowed by the fluid feeder 6 or the dielectric elastomer molded body 3.

The control unit 8 causes the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 to deform based on the flow rate or flow velocity of the fluid W detected by the sensor 7. Although not particularly illustrated, the control unit 8 includes a power source. A power supply built into the control unit 8 is connected to the electrode 4 by a wiring 81 and connected to the electrode 5 by a wiring 82. As a result, a voltage is applied to the dielectric elastomer molded body 3. The dielectric elastomer molded body 3 is deformed by applied voltage. The sensor 7 transmits information on at least one of the detected flow rate and flow velocity of the fluid W to the control unit 8. That is, the control unit 8 applies a voltage to the

electrodes

4 and 5 based on at least one of the flow rate or flow velocity of the fluid W detected by the sensor 7, and changes the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 into a desired shape. be able to. Thereby, the transducer 1 can appropriately change the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 according to the actual state of the controlled object (fluid W), and adjust at least one of the relatively small flow rate or flow velocity of the fluid W. can.

Additionally, the control section 8 may control the fluid sending section 6. That is, based on the flow rate or flow velocity of the fluid W detected by the sensor 7, the control unit 8 controls at least the flow rate or flow velocity of the fluid W flowed toward the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 by operating the fluid sending unit 6. Either one may be controlled. As described above, the fluid sending section 6 is constituted by a pump or the like including a driving section. Therefore, compared to the dielectric elastomer molded body 3, the fluid sending section 6 can change at least one of the flow rate and the flow velocity of the fluid W flowing in the flow path to a greater extent. Thereby, the control unit 8 adjusts at least one of the approximate flow rate or flow rate of the fluid W in the fluid sending unit 6, and adjusts at least one of the relatively small flow rate or flow rate of the fluid W in the dielectric elastomer molded body 3. can do. That is, by adjusting at least one of the flow rate or the flow velocity of the fluid W by combining the fluid sending section 6 and the dielectric elastomer molded body 3, it is possible to more appropriately control the flow of the fluid W depending on the use of the transducer 1. can. Note that a plurality of control sections 8 may be provided, such as a control section 8 corresponding to the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 and another control section 8 corresponding to the fluid feeding section 6. The control unit 8 can be configured by, for example, a computer such as a microcomputer or a circuit. The control unit 8 controls the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 or the fluid sending unit 6 based on at least one of the flow rate and flow velocity of the fluid W detected by the sensor 7, for example, depending on the use of the transducer 1. This may be realized by operating a computer according to a program that causes a process to control the state (at least one of the flow rate and the flow rate) of the flow rate.

As shown in FIG. 11, the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 is arranged between the fluid feed section 6 and the sensor 7. A plurality of dielectric elastomer molded bodies 3 may be arranged between the fluid sending section 6 and the sensor 7. That is, the plurality of dielectric elastomer molded bodies 3 may be arranged side by side along the flow direction F between the fluid sending section 6 and the sensor 7. The plurality of dielectric elastomer molded bodies 3 may be one type of dielectric elastomer molded bodies 3 of the first to fifth embodiments or a combination thereof, and various changes can be made depending on the use of the transducer 1. It is. Furthermore, the transducer 1 of this embodiment is also applicable to the transducer 1 of the sixth embodiment. When a plurality of dielectric elastomer molded bodies 3 are provided, the control unit 8 can be arranged to correspond to each dielectric elastomer molded body 3 according to the number of the plurality of dielectric elastomer molded bodies 3, and one control unit 8 can be arranged to correspond to each dielectric elastomer molded body 3. It is also possible to arrange a plurality of dielectric elastomer moldings 3 in a controlled manner relative to the part 8.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 12, the wiring 82 may connect the electrode 5 and the power source via the outlet of the flow path formed by the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2. That is, one end of the wiring 82 is connected to the electrode 5 within the flow path formed by the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2. The wiring 82 exits from inside the flow path to the outside of the flow path via an outlet in the flow direction F of the flow path. The other end of the wiring 82 is connected to the power source of the control unit 8 outside the flow path. Further, the wiring 82 may pass through the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 to connect the electrode 5 and the power source. In addition, in FIG. 12, in order to make the display of the wiring 81 and the wiring 82 easier to understand, illustration of the fluid sending part 6 and the sensor 7 is omitted.

Further, when the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body 2 as in the transducer 1 of the fifth embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. The electrode 4 and the power source may be connected from the upstream side of the flow direction F of the channel, and the wiring 82 may connect the electrode 5 and the power source from the downstream side of the flow direction F of the flow channel. Since the thickness of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 gradually decreases from upstream to downstream, a gap is created on the downstream side where the inner circumferential surface of the dielectric elastomer molded body 3 is exposed. Thereby, the wiring 82 can be connected to the electrode 4 relatively easily. In FIG. 13, illustration of the fluid feed section 6, sensor 7, and control section 8 is omitted to make the display of the wiring 81 and the wiring 82 easier to understand.

The transducer 1 of the present disclosure can be used in products such as carburetors that adjust the flow rate of not only liquid but also gas, and can also be used in various products that control controlled objects by deformation.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

1 Transducer, 2 Elastomer, 3 Dielectric elastomer, 4 Electrode, 5 Electrode, 6 Fluid feed section, 7 Sensor, 8 Control section, 81 Wiring, 82 Wiring, W Fluid

Claims

a non-dielectric elastomer molded body,
a dielectric elastomer molded body provided adjacent to the non-dielectric elastomer molded body and deformed in response to an applied voltage.
The transducer according to claim 1,
The dielectric elastomer molded body includes a first electrode and a second electrode,
The first electrode and the second electrode are patterned so that the dielectric elastomer molded body is deformed into a desired shape.
The transducer according to claim 1 or 2,
The dielectric elastomer molded body is a transducer that controls a controlled object by its deformation.
4. The transducer according to claim 3,
The non-dielectric elastomer molded body forms a flow path through which a fluid flows,
The dielectric elastomer molded body is provided in the flow path,
The transducer, wherein the controlled object is a fluid flowing within the flow path.
5. The transducer according to claim 4,
The dielectric elastomer molded body is provided in the flow path so as to be continuous with the non-dielectric elastomer molded body and form a part of the flow path,
A transducer, wherein the dielectric elastomer molded body controls the fluid by deforming in a direction crossing the flow direction of the fluid.
6. The transducer according to claim 5,
The transducer, wherein the distance between the first and second electrodes gradually changes along the flow direction.
5. The transducer according to claim 4,
The dielectric elastomer molded body is provided on an inner wall surface of the non-dielectric elastomer molded body forming the flow path,
The dielectric elastomer molded body expands and contracts within the flow path to open and close the flow path.
3. The transducer according to claim 2,
The transducer, wherein the first and second electrodes contain at least one selected from the group consisting of silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes.
4. The transducer according to claim 3,
a sensor that detects the state of the controlled object;
A transducer comprising: a control section that controls the state of the controlled object by deforming the dielectric elastomer molded body into a desired shape based on the state of the controlled object detected by the sensor.
The transducer according to claim 9,
The non-dielectric elastomer molded body forms a flow path through which a fluid flows,
The dielectric elastomer molded body is provided in the flow path,
The controlled object is a fluid flowing in the flow path,
The sensor is disposed downstream in the flow direction of the fluid with respect to the dielectric elastomer molded body, and detects at least one of the flow rate and flow velocity of the fluid,
The control unit changes the dielectric elastomer molded body into a desired shape based on at least one of the flow rate and flow velocity detected by the sensor, and changes the state of the fluid to at least one of the desired flow rate and flow velocity. Controlled, transducer.
The transducer according to claim 10,
comprising a fluid sending part disposed upstream in the flow direction with respect to the dielectric elastomer molded body and sending out the fluid toward the dielectric elastomer molded body,
The control unit is a transducer that operates the fluid sending unit based on at least one of a flow rate and a flow rate detected by the sensor, and controls the state of the fluid to be at least one of a desired flow rate and flow rate. .