Our company cooperated with TOKYO DENKI UNIVERSITY in developing, researching Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) pump actuator. and commercializing this new technology.
Develop the new type actuator which has a compliance (mechanically functional flexibility) by applying an EHD (Electrohydrodynamics) phenomenon which makes flow occur when a high voltage electric field is applied to the fluid which has insulation. That actuator is new hydrodynamic actuator which made a peripheral device such as a pump and a compressor unnecessary. We discovered the new type of EHD fluid which made stronger pressure than before occur in the pilot study. And, though electrode arrangement was concerned, it found that it was made to cause a strong EHD phenomenon by using the electrode arrangement which created not uniform electric field but a non-uniform electric field. In this study, firstly, the electrode arrangement which makes the strong and stable EHD phenomenon is examined. At the same time, the computer analysis of the electric field distribution in the electrode arrangement is done. Then, the structure which makes the power occur from the EHD phenomenon of the strong pressure is examined, and made to develop into the new hydrodynamic actuator which has compliance as these results.
Apply the EHD phenomenon to develop the actuator, we can produce a soft behavior device such as pneumatic and hydraulic driven. In addition, all only the electrodes and high-voltage generator simple structures, we can make the compressors smaller than before, and merge the actuator and pump together to get the space-saving system. Therefore, contact with power-assisted equipment and assistance people, the actuators are expected to be developed which will be used in the safety must be considered environment
At IRIE booth, the EHD actuators was showed, developed by Medical Precision Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tokyo Denki University. The device is using the EHD phenomenon by adding a high voltage between electrodes inserted into the insulating fluid, fluid flow between the electrodes. "EHD Robot Hand" and "EHD artificial muscle robot arm" was displayed.
The feature of the EHD system is doesn't need the big air compressor. Two 9V batteries, EHD pump and insulating fluid tank, the size and the weight are the attracting points. [EHD robot hand] can hold up 8KG weight.
- EHD artificial muscle robot arm
- EHD robot hands
- EHD artificial muscle robot arm and the system
- EHD artificial muscle robot arm behavio
- Only tow 9V battery as the power
