Highly efficient structure design of bending stacking actuators based on IPMC with large output force

Abstract

Ionic electroactive polymers (iEAPs) are electroactive polymers that have been used as artificial muscles and have broad application potential. Although iEAPs show large bending deformation under low electric stimulus, the low output force significantly restricts their application. Based on an ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) actuator, we proposed a bending stacking structure principle which adapts the bending deformation cooperation conditions. According to the principle, the width stacking structure and thickness stacking structure were designed that can improve the output force, maintain a high stacking efficiency, and eliminate degradation to the deformation ability. The advantages of the proposed stacking structures were identified using theoretical analysis and experimental verification based on IPMC actuators. Compared with an ultra-wide actuator, the wide stacking structure can resist undesirable width deformation. Compared with a traditional stacking structure, the proposed thickness stacking structures solved the bending deformation coordination problem to get a high stacking efficiency and significantly enhance the output force.