Large deformation analysis of a dielectric elastomer membrane-spring system

Tianhu He; Leilei Cui; Cheng Chen

doi:10.1117/12.840905

20 October 2009 Large deformation analysis of a dielectric elastomer membrane-spring system

Tianhu He, Leilei Cui, Cheng Chen

Proceedings Volume 7493, Second International Conference on Smart Materials and Nanotechnology in Engineering; 74935H (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.840905
Event: Second International Conference on Smart Materials and Nanotechnology in Engineering, 2009, Weihai, China

Abstract

Due to the capability of large strain, dielectric elastomers are promising for applications as transducers in cameras, robots, valves, pumps, energy harvesters and so on. The dielectric elastomer transducers are based on the deformation of a soft polymer membrane contracting in thickness and expanding in area, which is induced by the application of a voltage across the two compliant electrodes coated on both sides of the membrane. This paper focuses on the large deformation analysis of a dielectric elastomer membrane-spring system. The system is constructed from attaching a disk in the middle of a circular dielectric membrane and then connecting the disk with a spring. This configuration can be potentially used as a key part in valves. The basic governing equations describing the large out-of-plane deformations are formulated, and the obtained equations are solved numerically. The relations related to the displacement of the disk, the spring force, the applied voltage, and the parameters of spring including stiffness and initial length are illustrated. The results show the anticipated displacement of the disk can be controlled by adjusting the parameters of spring and the applied voltage individually or simultaneously, and the parameters of the spring, that is, stiffness and initial length, play an important role in the performance of the membrane-spring system.

Citation Download Citation

Tianhu He, Leilei Cui, and Cheng Chen "Large deformation analysis of a dielectric elastomer membrane-spring system", Proc. SPIE 7493, Second International Conference on Smart Materials and Nanotechnology in Engineering, 74935H (20 October 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.840905

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available