DEVICE WITH ACTUATOR BASED ON ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER Russian patent published in 2020 - IPC H01L41/04 

FIELD: electrical engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to methods of controlling devices containing electroactive materials for controlling friction, as well as to devices containing electroactive materials which are suitable for use in controlling friction. Method for controlling a device having an activation member comprising electroactive material, configured to deform upon actuation, wherein said method comprises steps of generating an activation signal in order to cause activation of the activation element, wherein activation has a maximum first activation frequency, generating a vibration signal in order to cause vibration of the activation member to reduce friction, wherein the vibration has a frequency greater than the first activation frequency and supplying the activation signal to at least a portion of the electroactive material and feeding the vibration signal to at least a portion of the electroactive material. Actuator comprises electroactive polymer (30) and controller (34) for supplying the actuation signal to the electroactive polymer to cause its deformation. Controller is adapted to generate signal, which contains alternating current component, causing vibration (40, 42) of electroactive polymer. This vibration is used to reduce friction between electroactive polymer and adjacent component (32). AC component can be superimposed on the low-frequency alternating current control level or the DC control level.

EFFECT: inventions provide a method and an apparatus in which friction reduction can be realized, or controlled friction is realized, and which can be carried out in a simple manner and at low cost.

15 cl, 13 dwg