Soft actuator using thermoelectric effect

Abstract

The present invention relates to a soft actuator moving linearly against external stimuli whose expansion and contraction can be actively controlled, suggesting that the actuator of the invention overcomes the problems of the conventional soft actuators, The soft actuator of the present invention can be repetitively driven quickly and accurately by controlling heating and cooling by using thermoelectric effect and, the soft actuator of the present invention can realize bending, tensioning, compression, and rotational driving of a tubular device containing a driver.

Claims

1. A soft actuator comprising: a driving part which is a unit body composed of a first string and a second string, the first string configured to be contracted or expanded by heating or cooling and the second string configured to show an opposite movement relative to the first string and arranged at a distance from the first string; and a thermoelectric element part configured to heat or cool the driving part, wherein the thermoelectric element part has a conductor configured to heat or cool the first string and the second string, and wherein the thermoelectric element part crosses over a top side or a bottom side of the first string and the second string, and the first string and the second string are opposite each other from the thermoelectric element part as a center.

2. The soft actuator according to claim 1, wherein the soft actuator additionally includes a string part composed of flexible fibers connected to a side of the unit body in parallel.

3. The soft actuator according to claim 1, wherein the soft actuator is configured to cool any one of the first string and the second string and heat the other one of the first string and the second string with a heat energy transferred from the thermoelectric element part so that the unit body realizes a single drive.

4. The soft actuator according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric element part includes: a first conductive body; a second conductive body configured to show a direction of heat flow different from the first conductive body; and the conductor arranged in series between the first conductive body and the second conductive body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The application of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is best understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates the string having twist.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates the string having twist and coiling.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the behavior of the heterostring.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates the behavior of the homostring.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates the soft actuator according to an example of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates the cross-section of FIG. 5A.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates the behavior of the soft actuator according to an example of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates the soft actuator according to another example of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates the soft actuator according to another example of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates the soft actuator according to another example of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates the soft actuator according to another example of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates the soft actuator according to another example of the present invention.

(14) FIG. 13 illustrates the cross-section of FIG. 12B.

(15) FIG. 14 illustrates the cross-section of a region of the soft actuator according to another example of the present invention where the thermoelectric element is disposed.

(16) FIG. 15 illustrates the soft actuator according to another example of the present invention.

(17) FIG. 16 illustrates the soft actuator according to another example of the present invention.

(18) FIG. 17 illustrates the soft actuator according to another example of the present invention.

(19) FIG. 18 illustrates the soft actuator according to an example of the present invention.

(20) FIG. 19 is the perspective view of FIG. 18.

(21) FIG. 20 illustrates the soft actuator according to another example of the present invention.

(22) FIG. 21 illustrates the soft actuator according to another example of the present invention.

(23) FIG. 22 illustrates the soft actuator according to another example of the present invention.

(24) FIG. 23 illustrates the soft actuator according to another example of the present invention.

(25) FIG. 24 illustrates the soft actuator according to an example of the present invention.

(26) FIG. 25 illustrates the unit body according to an example of the present invention.

(27) FIG. 26 illustrates the driving part or the driving surface according to an example of the present invention.

(28) FIG. 27 illustrates the thermoelectric element part according to an example of the present invention.

(29) FIG. 28 illustrates the soft actuator including the string part according to an example of the present invention.

(30) FIG. 29 illustrates the cylindrical band of the soft actuator according to an example of the present invention.

(31) FIG. 30 illustrates the spreaded cylindrical band of the soft actuator according to an example of the present invention.

(32) FIG. 31 is the perspective view of the soft actuator according to an example of the present invention.

(33) FIG. 32 illustrates the unit body constructing a driving part of the soft actuator according to an example of the present invention.

(34) FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the soft actuator according to an example of the present invention.

(35) FIG. 34 illustrates the compression or tension of the soft actuator according to an example of the present invention.

(36) FIG. 35 illustrates the bending of the soft actuator according to an example of the present invention.

(37) FIG. 36 illustrates the rotation of the soft actuator according to an example of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(38) Hereinafter, the present invention is described in detail.

(39) Soft Actuator (100)

(40) The present invention provides a soft actuator comprising a string that is contracted or expanded by heating or cooling; and a thermoelectric element that can heat or cool the string as arranged at least one side of the string.

(41) The soft actuator (100) according to an example of the present invention may contain a thermoelectric element (120) arranged at least one side of the string surfaces.

(42) FIG. 5 illustrates the soft actuator (100) according to an example of the present invention, and FIG. 6 illustrates the cross-section of FIG. 5A.

(43) As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the soft actuator (100) according to an example of the present invention comprises the twisted string (110); and the thermoelectric element (120) arranged at least one side of the string; wherein the string (110) is contracted or expanded according to the change of the direction of current flowing through the thermoelectric element (120).

(44) Previously, the actuator was designed to move the string (length decrease/increase) by heating and then to recover the string back to the original length (length increase/decrease) by natural cooling. Accordingly, there might be non-symmetrical response time of movement by heat and the recovery from the movement by cooling. However, the soft actuator (100) of an example of the present invention comprises the thermoelectric element (120) for the behavior, so that the operation time of the soft actuator can be reduced by heating and cooling the string (110) by modifying the heating surface and the cooling surface to the direction of current flow.

(45) The soft actuator (100) according to an example of the present invention comprises the string (110) either twisted or twisted and coiled, so that it can respond sensitively and quickly to the temperature change reversibly.

(46) When the temperature of the string (110) is raised by the thermoelectric element (120) arranged in the soft actuator (100), the soft actuator (100) is getting torque as the coiled or twisted string structure becomes loosened. When the raised temperature of the string (110) goes down by the thermoelectric element (120) arranged in the soft actuator (100), the coiled or twisted string structure is recovered, resulting in the reverse torque. By this mechanism, the soft actuator (100) can be heated and cooled down actively. Instead of consuming heat energy passively by the soft actuator (100), the heat energy is converted into mechanical energy to cool down the rotary type soft actuator (100).

(47) In the conventional art, the soft actuator is working to move the string by heating (length reduction/increase) and then to recover the string back to the original length (length increase/reduction) by natural cooling. At this time, asymmetry occurs in the behavior time when the soft actuator is heated to move the string and cooled to recover the string back to the original position.

(48) According to an example of the present invention, the soft actuator (100) comprises the thermoelectric element (120) on at least one side of the twisted string (110) for the behavior, so that the string (110) can be heated or cooled down by changing the heating surface and the cooling surface according to the direction change of current flowing through the thermoelectric element (120). That is, the natural cooling system is converted into the forced cooling system, so that the operation response time of the soft actuator (100) can be reduced. For heating/cooling the soft actuator (100), the thermoelectric element (120) is arranged as a moving source. Therefore, the contraction/expansion of the string (110) is achieved by heating/cooling the thermoelectric element (120). As a result, the continuous operation characteristics of the soft actuator (100) using heat can be improved.

(49) Hereinafter, by referring FIGS. 1˜4, the string having the twisted structure included in the soft actuator (100) of the present invention is described.

(50) FIG. 1 illustrates the string having twist. In FIG. 1, the string is twisted in a certain direction with showing bended grain.

(51) In an example of the present invention, the string (110) can be selected from the group consisting of such polymers as nylon, shape memory polyurethane, polyethylene, and rubber, but not always limited thereto. If the string is one of those polymers, the soft actuator (100) can maintain the reversible structure wherein the string is untwisted and retwisted even at a high temperature and thereby durability and lifetime would be extended, suggesting that the actuator can be applied in various fields. The string (110) herein provides the reversible rotation movement, meaning once it is transformed by the high temperature or the low temperature, it can be recovered back to the initial twisted form.

(52) The method to make the string (110) being twisted is either to fix one side and to rotate the other or to rotate both sides. The string (110) may have the structure wherein multiple strands are twisted each other. At this time, the string (110) having the twisted structure made by rotating both sides independently to the opposite direction characteristically ends up the structure of chiral Z type or chiral S type.

(53) FIG. 2 illustrates the string (110) having twist and coiling. As shown in FIG. 2, the string may have twist and coiling. The string (110) can have stronger driving force by heating and cooling and can response more accurately and sensitively by having twist and coiling. The method of imparting coiling to the string is not particularly limited.

(54) For example, one side of the string is fixed and the other side of the string is rotated to be coiled, or the string is wound up with a pipe to make the coiling structure.

(55) FIG. 3 illustrates the behavior of the heterostring, and FIG. 4 illustrates the behavior of the homostring.

(56) The string (110) can be twisted to the right or to the left (twist) and then wound up to the right or to the left (coiling). When the string twisted to the left is wound up to the left or when the string twisted to the right is wound up to the right, it is called ‘homochiral string’. When the string twisted to the left is wound up to the right or when the string twisted to the right is wound up to the left, it is called ‘heterochiral string’.

(57) The homochiral string increases in length when heated by the thermoelectric element (120) and decreases in length when cooled down by the thermoelectric element (120). The heterochiral string shows the opposite action. So, it decreases in length when heated by the thermoelectric element (120) and increases in length when cooled down by the thermoelectric element (120).

(58) So, the direction of movement caused by the thermoelectric element (120) can be regulated by controlling the direction of twist and coiling of the string (110).

(59) The thermoelectric element (120) can be arranged at least on one side of the twisted string (110). The thermoelectric element (120) can be arranged on the string necessary for the control of the movement of the soft actuator (100). As shown in FIG. 5, the thermoelectric element (120) may be formed to surround a part of the surface of the string (110) in a cylindrical shape, or may be formed so as to surround the entire side of the string (110).

(60) The thermoelectric element (120) is one of the energy conversion devices for converting electric energy into heat energy. The thermoelectric element (120) makes the soft actuator (100) take action actively by heating or cooling the surface of the string by changing the direction of flowing current.

(61) The thermoelectric element includes a thermoelectric power generating device using Seebeck effect which is the effect of generating electromotive force by the temperature difference and a cooling device using Peltier effect which is the effect of generating or absorbing heat when current is flowing in but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(62) The thermoelectric element (120) may be formed of a bulk structure in which a thermoelectric material made of N-type and P-type semiconductors is formed on a ceramic substrate such as alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3), and the N-type thermoelectric material (123) and the P-type thermoelectric material (122) are connected in series to an electrode.

(63) The thermoelectric element (120) comprises the first electrode (121), the N-type thermoelectric material (123) and P-type thermoelectric material (122) formed on the first electrode (121), and the second electrode (124) for the serial connection of the first electrode (121) and the N-type thermoelectric material (123) and the P-type thermoelectric material (122) together.

(64) The actuator can also be composed of the first substrate, the first electrode (121) arranged on the first substrate, the N-type thermoelectric material (123) and the P-type thermoelectric material (122) arranged on the first electrode (121), the second electrode (124) arranged on the N-type thermoelectric material (123) and the P-type thermoelectric material (122), and the second substrate layered on the second electrode (124). At this time, the soft actuator (100) according to an example of the present invention can be prepared by arranging the completed thermoelectric element on the surface of the string.

(65) The thermoelectric element (120) can be prepared by forming the first electrode (121) in a regular pattern on the surface of the twisted string (110) and by forming the N-type thermoelectric material (123) and the P-type thermoelectric material (122) on the top of the first electrode stepwise and lastly by forming the second electrode (124) on the of the same. The second electrode (124) can be formed by contacting the top of the substrate on which the second electrode (124) is formed in a regular pattern. The N-type thermoelectric material (123) and the P-type thermoelectric material (122) can be connected in series by the first electrode (121) and the second electrode (124).

(66) The N-type thermoelectric material (123) and the P-type thermoelectric material (122) are alternately arranged in the first electrode (121) so as to be easily connected in series by the electrodes. The said P-type thermoelectric material (122) can comprise at least one of those compounds, Si, Al, Ca, Na, Ge, Fe, Pb, Sb, Te, Bi, Co, Ce, Sn, Ni, Cu, Na, K, Pt, Ru, Rh, Au, W, Pd, Ti, Ta, Mo, Hf, La, Ir, and Ag. For example, the N-type thermoelectric material (123) can be BixTe1-x and the P-type thermoelectric material (122) can be SbxTe1l-x.

(67) The N-type thermoelectric material (123) and the P-type thermoelectric material (122) can be formed in the form of a thick film having the thickness of a few˜hundreds of micrometer (μm).

(68) The first electrode (121) and the second electrode (124) can be formed to electrically connect the N-type thermoelectric material (123) and the P-type thermoelectric material (122) in series. The first electrode (121) and the second electrode (124) can be arranged such that the first electrode (121) is disposed on the surface of the string, all the electrodes can be formed on the thermoelectric material, or all the electrodes can be formed on the bottom of the thermoelectric material.

(69) The first electrode (121) and the second electrode (124) are preferably those metals which have excellent electrical conductivity, which are exemplified by nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), ruthenium (Ru) (Au), tungsten (W), cobalt (Co), palladium (Pd), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), hafnium (Hf), lanthanum Iridium (Ir), and silver (Ag).

(70) The thermoelectric element (120) is arranged on the surface of the string (110) and can be expanded or contracted with the string (110). Also the thermoelectric element has to be able to operate in response to volume expansion, contraction, or bending of the string (110). Thus, the thermoelectric element (120) may have flexibility.

(71) For the flexibility, the first electrode (121), the N-type thermoelectric material (123), and the P-type thermoelectric material (122), and the second electrode (124) can be composed of those materials that have flexibility or include the composition having flexibility.

(72) Particularly, the first electrode (121), the N-type thermoelectric material (123), the P-type thermoelectric material (122), and the second electrode (124) of the thermoelectric element (120) can include a conductive polymer. The first electrode (121) and the second electrode (124) are formed in the form of nanowires, so that electrical shorting may not occur even when the thermoelectric element is expanded and contracted corresponding to the expansion or contraction of the strings. In addition, the first electrode (121), the N-type thermoelectric material (123), the P-type thermoelectric material, and the second electrode (124) of the thermoelectric element (120) may have a shape including pores therein to cope with the expansion or contraction of the string.

(73) The N-type thermoelectric material (123) can include a bismuth-tellurium (BixTe1-x) compound, and the P-type thermoelectric material (122) can include an antimony-tellurium (SbxTe1-x) compound.

(74) At this time, the conductive polymer included in the first electrode (121), the N-type thermoelectric material (123), the P-type thermoelectric material (122), and the second electrode (124) can be organic conducting polymers such as Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), Poly(fluorene)s, Polyphenylenes, Polypyrenes, Polyazulenes, Polynaphthalenes, Poly(acetylene)s (PAC), Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV), Poly(pyrrole)s (PPY), Polycarbazoles, Polyindoles, Polyazepines, Polyanilines (PANI), Poly(thiophene)s (PT), Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and Poly(p-phenylene sulfide) (PPS) and might include organic non-conducting polymers such as Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Poly(methylmethacrylate), Poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide), and Polyethylene.

(75) The substrate included in the thermoelectric element (120) can be a flexible substrate so that the thermoelectric element (120) can have flexibility. The flexible substrate is to support the whole thermoelectric element and at the same time to give flexibility to the thermoelectric element, which is exemplified by a polyimide film, a Kapton film, a polyester film, a PEN film, a plastic film, PDMS, and paper, but not always limited thereto. It is preferable that the flexible substrate is made of a material having heat resistance enough to withstand the subsequent process temperature.

(76) The first electrode (121), the N-type thermoelectric material (123), the P-type thermoelectric material (122), and the second electrode (124) of the thermoelectric element (120) can include a conductive polymer. The conductive polymer can include poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene/polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT/PSS), polyaniline, polyacetylene or polyphenylene vinylene, but not always limited thereto.

(77) The first electrode (121) and the second electrode (124) are formed in the form of nanowires, so that electrical shorting may not occur even when the thermoelectric element is expanded and contracted corresponding to the expansion or contraction of the string. In addition, the first electrode (121), the N-type thermoelectric material (123), the P-type thermoelectric material, and the second electrode (124) of the thermoelectric element (120) may have a shape including pores therein to cope with the expansion or contraction of the string.

(78) The N-type thermoelectric material (123) and the P-type thermoelectric material (122) are alternately arranged on the first electrode (121) and connected in series by the first electrode (121).

(79) Herein, the N-type thermoelectric material (123) and the P-type thermoelectric material (122) include pores therein, and at least some of those pores are filled with organic polymer materials.

(80) FIG. 7 illustrates the behavior of the soft actuator (100) according to an example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the soft actuator (100) of the present invention can be expanded and contracted by supplying current to the thermoelectric element (120) arranged on the surface of the string (110). So, the operation response time of the soft actuator (100) can be reduced by converting the natural cooling dependent operation into the forced cooling dependent operation.

(81) FIG. 8 illustrates the soft actuator (200) according to another example of the present invention.

(82) As shown in FIG. 8, the soft actuator (200) of the invention can additionally include the control unit (230) to control the direction of current flowing through the thermoelectric element (220).

(83) The control unit (230) can change the direction of current flowing through the thermoelectric element (220), by which the temperature of the surface of the string can be raised or lowered (heating or cooling) to make the soft actuator (200) operate actively.

(84) FIG. 9 illustrates the soft actuator (300) according to another example of the present invention.

(85) As shown in FIG. 9, the soft actuator includes the adhesive layer (340) to connect the string (310) and the thermoelectric element (320). The adhesive layer (340) can be disposed between the thermoelectric element (320) and the string (310), which plays a role of adhering the first electrode of the thermoelectric element (320) onto the surface of the string (310). When the substrate is included in the thermoelectric element (320), the substrate can be contacted with the surface of the string (310). The adhesive layer (340) can include metal epoxy, for example silver (Ag) epoxy. The adhesive layer (340) may be an adhesive, yet have a high electrical conductivity, and may have a suitable viscosity to allow deformation when appropriate pressure is applied.

(86) The adhesive layer (340) can include a binder, which is exemplified by a thermoplastic resin. The thermoplastic resin herein can be selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile resin, phenoxy resin, butadiene resin, acrylic resin, urethane resin, polyamide resin, olefin resin, string-reinforced resin, and NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber) resin, but not always limited thereto. The binder used for the adhesive layer (340) can be the binder resin not comprising an epoxy group. The thermoplastic resin preferably has a weight average molecular weight of 1,000˜1,000,000 g/mol. Within the above range, it is possible to have proper film strength, to prevent phase separation, and to adhere to the conductive layer or the non-conductive layer, so that the adhesive strength is not lowered. The preferable concentration of the binder in the adhesive layer (340) is 20˜70 weight % by the weight of the solid component. The concentration in that range favors the film formation.

(87) The adhesive layer (340) can additionally include hydrophobic string rica and/or other additives, if necessary. In that case, the preferable amount of the additionally included additive is 1˜10 weight % by the weight of the solid component.

(88) FIG. 10 illustrates the soft actuator (400) according to another example of the present invention.

(89) As described hereinbefore, the string included in the soft actuator (400) according to an example of the present invention has the structure of twist and coiling. At this time, the thermoelectric element (420) arranged on the string (410) can be formed before the coiling process. As shown in FIG. 10, the thermoelectric element (420) can be formed to wrap the side of the string (410). Before the coiling process of the string (410), deposition process or adhesion process can be performed to form the thermoelectric element (420). At this time, the string (410) and the thermoelectric element (420) of the soft actuator (400) can contact with each other on a large surface, so that the soft actuator (400) can be operated more accurately and faster, and higher power can be obtained.

(90) FIG. 11 illustrates the soft actuator (500) according to another example of the present invention.

(91) According to FIG. 11, when the thermoelectric element (520) is formed on the coiled string (510), the thermoelectric element might not be arranged in the inside of the coiling area or in the region where the strings contact with each other during the deposition process or adhesion process. Through this process, it is possible to prevent breakage of the thermoelectric element that may occur due to the process of imparting coiling to the string.

(92) FIG. 12 illustrates the soft actuator (600) according to another example of the present invention and FIG. 13 illustrates the cross-section of FIG. 12B.

(93) As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the soft actuator (600) according to an example of the present invention includes the twisted string (610) and the thermoelectric element (620) arranged on at least one side of the string (610).

(94) The actuator can be operated by heating or cooling the surface of the string (610) by converting the direction of current flowing through the thermoelectric element (620) arranged on both ends of the string. By that system, the symmetrical response to the contraction/expansion of the soft actuator (600) can be configured to improve the operating characteristics and increase the usability of the soft actuator (600).

(95) Conventionally, heat is applied to move the string (length reduction/increase) and return to its original position (length increase/reduction) by natural cooling. At this time, there might be asymmetrical difference between the time for driving by heat and the time driving by cooling. In an example of the present invention, the thermoelectric element for driving is arranged in the soft actuator and the heating surface and the cooling surface of the thermoelectric element can be converted by changing the direction of current flowing therein, suggesting that the operating response time of the soft actuator can be reduced by heating or cooling the string.

(96) When the temperature of the string (610) of the soft actuator (600) is raised by the thermoelectric element (620) arranged on one side of the string, the twisted or coiled structure of the soft actuator (600) becomes loose, by which the actuator gains the rotational force. When the temperature of the string (610) of the soft actuator (600) is lowered by the thermoelectric element (620), the loosened structure is recovered back to the original coiled or twisted structure, during which the rotational force in the opposite direction is generated.

(97) The string (610) herein can be selected from the group consisting of such polymers as nylon, shape memory polyurethane, polyethylene, and rubber, but not always limited thereto. When a polymer is used as the string, the soft actuator (100) can maintain its reversible structure between untwist and retwist for a long time even at a high temperature and also maintain durability and longer life time, so that it can be applied to various fields. The string (610) provides a reversible rotational movement back to the initial twisted form even if the shape is deformed by high or low temperature.

(98) The string (610) can be the string described in the example explained hereinbefore.

(99) The thermoelectric element (620) can be the one described in another the example described hereinbefore, but not always limited thereto.

(100) FIG. 14 illustrates the cross-section of a region of the soft actuator (600) according to another example of the present invention where the thermoelectric element (620) is disposed. As shown in FIG. 14, the multiple thermoelectric elements (620) can be arranged in the layered structure in order to apply sufficient heat to the string (610). At this time, the first electrode (721a) is disposed on the cross-section of the string (610), and the N-type thermoelectric material (723a) and the P-type thermoelectric material (722a) are disposed on the first electrode (721a). Then, the second electrode (724a) is arranged on the N-type thermoelectric material (723a) and the P-type thermoelectric material (722a). After placing the first thermoelectric element in this way, the second thermoelectric element can be placed across the insulating layer (750). The first electrode (721b) can be arranged on the insulating layer (750) and the N-type thermoelectric material (723b) and the P-type thermoelectric material (722b) can be arranged on the first electrode (721b) and then the second electrode (724b) can be placed on the N-type thermoelectric material (723b) and the P-type thermoelectric material (722b). The first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element may be connected in series by wires. By arranging the same heating surface and cooling face toward the cross-section of the string, the movement of the soft actuator (600) can be more accurately controlled and the power can be strengthened.

(101) FIG. 15 illustrates the soft actuator (600) according to another example of the present invention.

(102) The thermoelectric element allows the actuation of the soft actuator (600) by heating or cooling the surface of the string by changing the current direction. The control unit (830) can be connected to the thermoelectric element by a wire, by which the movement thereof can be controlled.

(103) FIG. 16 illustrates the soft actuator (600) according to another example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 16, in the soft actuator (600) according to another example of the present invention, the string and the thermoelectric element are connected with each other by the adhesive layer (940) arranged in between the cross-section of the string (610) and the thermoelectric element (620). The adhesive layer (940) can include metal epoxy, for example silver (Ag) epoxy. The adhesive layer (940) may be an adhesive, yet have a high electrical conductivity, and may have a suitable viscosity to allow deformation when appropriate pressure is applied.

(104) FIG. 17 illustrates the soft actuator (1000) according to another example of the present invention.

(105) As shown in FIG. 17, the string (1010) may have twist and coiling. The string (1010) can have stronger driving force by heating and cooling and can response more accurately and sensitively by having twist and coiling. The method of imparting coiling to the string is not particularly limited. For example, one side of the string is fixed and processed while the other side of the string is rotating, resulting in the coiling structure. Or, the coiling structure can be produced by wrapping a pipe with the string.

(106) The soft actuator (100) according to an example of the present invention can include the first string and the second string and the thermoelectric element can be arranged between the first string and the second string.

(107) FIG. 18 illustrates the soft actuator (100) according to an example of the present invention and FIG. 19 is the perspective view of FIG. 18.

(108) As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the soft actuator (100) according to an example of the present invention comprises the twisted first string (111) and the second string (121), and the thermoelectric element (120) arranged between the first string (111) and the second string (131).

(109) Conventionally, heat is applied to move the string (length reduction/increase) and return to its original position (length increase/reduction) by natural cooling. At this time, there might be asymmetrical difference between the time for driving by heat and the time driving by cooling.

(110) In an example of the present invention, the thermoelectric element (120) for driving is arranged in the soft actuator (100) and the heating surface and the cooling surface of the thermoelectric element (120) can be converted by changing the direction of current flowing therein, suggesting that the operating response time of the soft actuator (100) can be reduced by heating or cooling the first string (111) and the second string (131).

(111) The soft actuator (100) according to an example of the present invention comprises the first string (111) and the second string (131) either twisted or twisted and coiled, so that it can respond sensitively and quickly to the temperature change reversibly.

(112) The thermoelectric element (120) above can increase the heating or cooling efficiency by contacting physically with the first string (111) and the second string (131). In addition, the thermoelectric element is physically spaced apart from the first string and the second string to prevent the physical force from being transmitted to the thermoelectric element as the first string and the second string are expanded or relaxed.

(113) When the temperature of the first string (111) and the second string (131) is raised by the thermoelectric element (120) arranged in the soft actuator (100), the soft actuator (100) is getting torque as the coiled or twisted structure of the first string (111) and the second string (131) becomes loosened. When the raised temperature of the first string (111) and the second string (131) goes down by the thermoelectric element (120) arranged in the soft actuator (100), the coiled or twisted structure is recovered, resulting in the reverse torque. By this mechanism, the soft actuator (100) can be heated and cooled down actively. Instead of consuming heat energy passively by the soft actuator (100), the heat energy is converted into mechanical energy to cool down the rotary type soft actuator (100).

(114) FIG. 20 illustrates the soft actuator (200) according to another example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 20, the soft actuator (200) of the invention can additionally include the control unit (230) to control the direction of current flowing through the thermoelectric element (220).

(115) The control unit (230) can change the direction of current flowing through the thermoelectric element (220), by which the temperature of the surface of the first string (211) and the second string (231) can be raised or lowered (heating or cooling) to make the soft actuator (200) operate actively.

(116) FIG. 21 illustrates the soft actuator (300) according to another example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 21, in the soft actuator (300) of the present invention, the thermoelectric element (320) may be disposed between the first string (311) and the second string (331) in a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the first string (311) and the second string (331). Although the thermoelectric element (320) has a narrow area as compared with the plate type, the area contributing to heating or cooling the first string (311) and the second string (331) can be sufficiently large. Therefore, the production cost can be reduced by disposing the thermoelectric element (320) in a zigzag shape as shown in FIG. 21, or arranging the thermoelectric element (320) in parallel with the side way of the first string (311) or the second string (331). When the first string (311) or the second string (331) is expanded or contracted, the thermoelectric element (320) can respond more easily to the movement of the first string (311) or the second string (331).

(117) The thermoelectric element (320) can contact physically with the first string (311) or the second string (331). The thermoelectric element can be arranged between the first string and the second string with maintaining distance from them. The thermoelectric element (320) can be the same as explained in another example hereinbefore, but not always limited thereto.

(118) FIG. 22 illustrates the soft actuator (400) according to another example of the present invention. As explained hereinbefore, the first string (411) and the second string (431) included in the soft actuator (400) according to an example of the present invention can have the structure of twist and coiling.

(119) At this time, the thermoelectric element (420) arranged in between the first string (411) and the second string (431) can be formed before the coiling process. That is, after the thermoelectric element (420) is arranged between the first string (411) and the second string (431), coiling can be imparted to the bundle of the first string (411), the thermoelectric element (420), and the second string.

(120) Alternatively, the soft actuator can be prepared in which the first string (411), the second string (431), and the thermoelectric element (420) are coiled and then the first string (411), the second string (431), and the thermoelectric element (420) are assembled.

(121) The thermoelectric element (420) disposed between the first string (411) and the second string (431) can be placed horizontally to the main driving axle of the soft actuator (400). The main behavior of the soft actuator (400) is longitudinal motion of the actuator, whether elongated or contracted in the longitudinal direction.

(122) As shown in FIG. 22, the first string (411), the thermoelectric element (420), and the second string (431) are arranged vertically to the direction of coiling. So, the first string (411) is heated or cooled according to the heating or cooling of one side of the thermoelectric element (420), and the second string (431) is cooled or heated according to the cooling or heating of the other side of the thermoelectric element (420). That is, the first string (411) and the second string (431) can perform the positive and reverse reactions simultaneously, suggesting that the soft actuator (400) can increase the efficiency in power and operating time.

(123) The first electrode and the second electrode of the thermoelectric element (420) are directly or indirectly connected to the first string (411) and the second string (431), and the P-type thermoelectric material and the N-type thermoelectric material are arranged by turns in between the first electrode and the second electrode. The thermoelectric element (420) can be connected to the first string (411) and the second string (431) by the adhesive layer. The thermoelectric element (420) above can be the same as the one described in another example of the invention, but not always limited thereto.

(124) FIG. 23 illustrates the soft actuator (500) according to another example of the present invention. As explained hereinbefore, the first string (511) and the second string (531) included in the soft actuator (500) according to an example of the present invention can have the structure of twist and coiling.

(125) At this time, the thermoelectric element (520) arranged in between the first string (511) and the second string (531) can be formed before the coiling process. That is, after the thermoelectric element (520) is arranged between the first string (511) and the second string (531), coiling can be imparted to the bundle of the first string (511), the thermoelectric element (520), and the second string (531).

(126) Alternatively, the soft actuator can be prepared in which the first string (511), the second string (531), and the thermoelectric element (520) are coiled and then the first string (511), the second string (531), and the thermoelectric element (520) are assembled.

(127) The thermoelectric element (520) disposed between the first string (511) and the second string (531) can be placed horizontally to the main driving axle of the soft actuator (500). The main behavior of the soft actuator (500) is longitudinal motion of the actuator, whether elongated or contracted in the longitudinal direction.

(128) As shown in FIG. 23, the first string (511), the thermoelectric element (520), and the second string (531) are arranged horizontally to the direction of coiling. So, the first string (511) is heated or cooled according to the heating or cooling of one side of the thermoelectric element (520), and the second string (531) is cooled or heated according to the cooling or heating of the other side of the thermoelectric element (520). That is, the first string (511) and the second string (531) can perform the positive and reverse reactions simultaneously, suggesting that the soft actuator (500) can increase the efficiency in power and operating time.

(129) The first electrode and the second electrode of the thermoelectric element (520) are directly or indirectly connected to the first string (511) and the second string (531), and the P-type thermoelectric material and the N-type thermoelectric material are arranged by turns in between the first electrode and the second electrode. The thermoelectric element (520) can be connected to the first string (511) and the second string (531) by the adhesive layer. The thermoelectric element (520) above can be the same as the one described in another example of the invention, but not always limited thereto.

(130) Further, the present invention provides a soft actuator comprising:

(131) a driving part as one unit comprising the first string that can be expanded or contracted by heating or cooling, the second string that can move oppositely to the first string by heating or cooling, wherein the first string and the second string are not contacted with each other; and

(132) a thermoelectric element part to heat or cool the driving part.

(133) At this time, the thermoelectric element part is arranged with the driving part so that the area where the conductor is formed can heat or cool the first string and the second string.

(134) (Patent 5)

(135) FIG. 24 illustrates the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(136) The soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention can include a driving part (11), a thermoelectric element part (13), a power supply part (15), and a string part (17, FIG. 29).

(137) The soft actuator (1) comprises a driving part (11) composed of the first string (1101) that can be contracted or expanded by heating or cooling and the second string (1103) that moves against the first string by heating or cooling wherein the strings are arranged not to be contacted with each other while both making one unit; and a thermoelectric element part (13) that heats or cools the driving part (11), in which a conductor region (133) is arranged against the driving part (11) in order to heat or cool the first string (1101) and the second string (1103).

(138) As shown in FIG. 24, the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention might not include the string part (17, FIG. 28). The soft actuator (1) can have the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) arranged by turns. The first string (1101) or the second string (1103) of the soft actuator (1) can be either homochiral or heterochiral fiber or both. The first string (1101) and the second string (1103) can be different strings in different structures. In the soft actuator (1), the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) can construct one unit (1100). In the soft actuator (1), the unit (1100) can be connected in parallel. The thermoelectric element part (13) can be arranged by crossing over the unit (1100) connected in parallel in the soft actuator (1).

(139) The soft actuator (1) can additionally include the power supply part (15) to form a closed circuit with the thermoelectric element part (13) and to provide current to the thermoelectric element part (13).

(140) In an example of the present invention, the soft actuator (1) can be connected in series with the power supply part (15) and the thermoelectric element part (13). The soft actuator (1) can generate heat energy by flowing current through the thermoelectric element part (13) connected in series to the power supply part (15). The soft actuator (1) can transmit the heat energy generated in the thermoelectric element part (13) to the driving part (11). The driving part (11) provided the heat energy generates bending moment in the soft actuator (1), by which the soft actuator (1) can drive.

(141) The soft actuator (1) can additionally include the string part (17, FIG. 28) composed of flexible strings connected in parallel to the side of the unit (1100).

(142) As shown in FIG. 28, the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the invention can additionally include the string part (17) to support the movement of the driving part (11). The soft actuator (1) shown in FIG. 28 is described in more detail in the following example 1.

(143) The soft actuator (1) can have the structure wherein the thermoelectric element part (13) is crossing over the top side or the bottom side of the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) and the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) are arranged in the opposite side.

(144) In an example of the present invention, in the soft actuator (1), the driving part (11) and the thermoelectric element part (13) can be arranged in various forms. For example, the driving part (11) is arranged on top side of the thermoelectric element part (13) in the soft actuator (1). Or the driving part (11) can be arranged on the bottom side of the thermoelectric element part (13) in the soft actuator (1). In particular, the driving part (11) and the thermoelectric element part (13) can cross over each other in the soft actuator (1). At this time, the driving part (11) and the thermoelectric element part (13) can be connected tightly with each other due to the structural characteristics of the soft actuator (1).

(145) FIG. 1 illustrates the twisted structure of the string constructing the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(146) The string that can compose the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention can be the first string (1101) or the second string (1103). The string composing the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) can be homostring or heterostring. The string constituting the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) can be selected from the group consisting of such polymers as nylon, shape memory polyurethane, polyethylene, and rubber. By using such polymers as the string forming the soft actuator (1), the soft actuator (1) can maintain the reversible structure wherein the string is untwisted and retwisted even at a high temperature. The string forming the soft actuator (1) can be changed not only by heating but also by cooling, so that it can provide a reversible rotation movement to going back to the initial coiled structure.

(147) As shown in FIG. 1, the string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention is primarily twisted. To give the twisted structure to the string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1), one end of the string is fixed and the other end of the string is rotated or both ends are rotated.

(148) FIG. 2 illustrates the coiling structure of the string constructing the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(149) As shown in FIG. 2, the string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) can be twisted first and then the twisted string can be coiled additionally. A method to make the string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) coiled is not limited to a specific one. As an example, one side of the string is fixed and the other side of the string is rotated to make the coiling structure. Or, the string wraps a pipe to make the string coiled. When the string is twisted and coiled at the same time, the driving force of the string induced by heating and cooling becomes strong and the characteristics of the string can be changed according to the direction of the twist and coiling.

(150) FIG. 4 illustrates the homochiral string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the homochiral string is the string in which the directions of both twist and coiling are same. The homochiral string can be contracted as the string is heated by the thermoelectric element part (13) and can be expanded as the string is cooled by the thermoelectric element part (13).

(151) FIG. 3 illustrates the heterochiral string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the heterochiral string is the string in which the direction of twist is opposite to the direction of coiling. The heterochiral string can move oppositely to the homochiral string. The heterochiral string can be expanded as the string is heated by the thermoelectric element part (13) and can be contracted as the string is cooled by the thermoelectric element part (13).

(152) In an example of the present invention, the direction of contraction and expansion of the homochiral or heterochiral string is not limited to the longitudinal direction of the string. The homochiral string can be called the first string (1101) or the second string (1103), and the heterochiral string can be called the first string (1101) or the second string (1103) that is not the homochiral string. When the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) are arranged one by one with maintaining some distance between them, it is called the unit body (1100).

(153) FIG. 25 illustrates the unit body (1101) according to an example of the present invention.

(154) As shown in FIG. 25, the driving part (11) realizes a single drive of the unit body (1100) by cooling one of the strings, the first string (1101) and the second string (1103), and heating the other string by the heat energy delivered from the thermoelectric element part (13).

(155) In an example of the present invention, the unit body (1100) is composed of the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) contracted or expanded to the opposite direction according to heating or cooling which are arranged with maintaining some distance. The unit body (1100) composed of those first string (1101) and second string (1103) realizes the same movement, either contraction or expansion, between the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) even when they are separately treated with heating or cooling, and thereby the unit body (1100) realizes a single driving when current is applied through the thermoelectric element part (13).

(156) FIG. 26 illustrates the driving part (11) or the driving surface (11a or 11b) according to an example of the present invention.

(157) In an example of the present invention, the unit body (1100) is connected to the thermoelectric element part (13) to receive heat energy. The unit body (1100) can receive different types of heat energy as current flows through the thermoelectric element part (13). For example, the first string (1101) can be heated by the thermoelectric element part (13) and the second string (1103) can be cooled by the thermoelectric element part (13). Or reversely, the first string (1101) can be cooled by the thermoelectric element part (13) and the second string (1103) can be heated by the thermoelectric element part (13). Accordingly, those two strings, the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) showing different behaviors according to the heat energy type can move to the same direction.

(158) The driving part (11) may have a plurality of the unit bodies (1100) arranged in parallel.

(159) In an example of the present invention, the driving part (11) can have the structure comprising multiple unit bodies (1100). For example, the driving part (11) is composed of multiple unit bodies (1100) arranged in parallel.

(160) The first fiber (1101) and the second fiber (1103) of the unit body (1100) forming the driving part (11) can receive different types of heat energy from the thermoelectric element part (13) to implement the same operation. Therefore, in the driving part (11) having various shapes, the conductive body of the thermoelectric element part (13) should be set in a proper arrangement in consideration of the operation direction. The operation direction of the driving part (11) and the setting of the thermoelectric element part (13) are described in more detail in the following example illustrated by FIG. 27.

(161) FIG. 27 illustrates the thermoelectric element part (13) according to an example of the present invention.

(162) In an example of the present invention, the thermoelectric element part (13) indicates the device using thermoelectric effect.

(163) Thermoelectric effect is the general term for the three heat and electric correlation phenomena including Seebeck effect, Peltier effect, and Thomson effect. The thermoelectric element part (13) according to an example of the present invention uses Peltier effect among those thermoelectric effects.

(164) Peltier effect is understood as the phenomenon that when current is flowing in a metal, heat is flowing together therein and at that time heat seems to be generated or absorbed on the connection surface due to the difference in heat flow between two metals. The heat generation and absorption in Peltier effect is reversible. When one side generates heat by current flow, the other side absorbs the heat. When the direction of current flow is changed, the heat generation turns to the absorption and the heat absorption changes into the heat generation. In particular, in Peltier effect, when the current value is increased and the conductor material and combination are appropriately selected so that cooling system is working by endotherm of the contact point, which is called thermoelectric cooling. The thermoelectric cooling phenomenon is currently used in the temperature range of a freezer, but a method of multi-stage cooling to 70K is also being developed.

(165) As shown in FIG. 27, the thermoelectric element part (13) can include the first conductive body (132), the second conductive body (135) showing different direction of heat flow from the first conductive body (132), and the conductor (133) arranged in series between the first conductive body (132) and the second conductive body (135).

(166) In an example of the present invention, the thermoelectric element part (13) is composed of the first conductive body (132), the second conductive body (135), and the conductor (133). In the thermoelectric element part (13), the first conductive body (132), the second conductive body (135), and the conductor (133) are arranged in series, so that the current delivered from the power supply part (15) can be converted into heat energy which is then delivered to the driving part (11). The first conductive body (132) of the thermoelectric element part (13) can be n-type semiconductor or p-type semiconductor, and the second conductive body (135) of the thermoelectric element part (13) can be different type of semiconductor from the first conductive body (132) in the thermoelectric element part (13). The conductor, n-type semiconductor and p-type semiconductor will be described hereinafter.

(167) The conductor (133) is a material having a high electrical conductivity and a high thermal conductivity. That is, it is a material that delivers electricity and heat well. The conductor (133) refers to the corresponding term of the insulator. Such metals as gold, silver, and copper are the typical conductor (133) delivering electricity and heat. Conductors conducting electricity can be classified as solid conductors and liquid conductors. In particular, the representative solid conductor is metal and the representative liquid conductor is aqueous solution of acid, alkali, and salt.

(168) In general, when free electrons are plenty in a semiconductor, it is called n-type semiconductor. On the contrary, when hole density is bigger than free electron density, it is classified as p-type semiconductor. The ionized impurity atom that lost electrons is called a donor. When the impurity is the donor, it is n-type semiconductor. In p-type semiconductor, current is flowing by an acceptor. P-n-p transistor, n-p-n transistor, or p-n-p-n device can be prepared by combining the p-type and the n-type semiconductors. The semiconductor diode is the most basic p-n complex.

(169) The thermoelectric element part (13) can heat or cool the conductor (133) by the divided pathways, which are the conduction pathway through which current is delivered to the second conductive body (135) via the conductor (133) after passing through the first conductive body (132); and the other conduction pathway through which current is delivered to the first conductive body (132) via the conductor (133) after passing through the second conductive body (135).

(170) In an example of the present invention, the first conductive body (132), the second conductive body (135), and the conductor (133) are arranged in series in the thermoelectric element part (13), by which current is provided from the power supply part (15). The first conductive body (132) or the second conductive body (135) of the thermoelectric element part (13) can be connected to the power supply part. The thermoelectric element part (13) can heat or cool the conductor (133) according to the direction of current supplied to the first conductive body (132) and the second conductive body (135).

(171) The driving part (11) can realize a single drive of the unit body (1100) by shrinking or expanding the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) together as the conductor (133) is heated or cooled.

(172) When current passing through the n-type semiconductor and flowing through the conductor (133) to the p-type semiconductor is supplied in the thermoelectric element part (13), the conductor (133) can be cooled. On the other hand, when current is flowing from the p-type semiconductor and passing through the conductor (133) and then heading to the n-type semiconductor, the conductor (133) can be heated. The cooled or heated conductor (133) can deliver heat energy to cool or heat the driving part (11).

(173) In an example of the present invention, the power supply part (15) can form a closed circuit with the thermoelectric element part (13). The power supply part (15) can supply current to the thermoelectric element part (13). The power supply part (15) selects the direction of current and transmits energy in the direction of shrinking or expanding the driving part (11). The power supply part (15) can comprise any configuration that may be installed in the driving part (11), installed in the string part (17, FIG. 28), or installed outside the soft actuator (1) to provide current.

EXAMPLE 1

Soft Actuator (1) Comprising the String Part (17)

(174) FIG. 28 illustrates the soft actuator (1) including the string part (17) according to an example of the present invention.

(175) The soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention can have the string part (17) connected in parallel to the side of the driving part (11) wherein the unit body (1100) is arranged in parallel. The soft actuator (1) can also have the power supply part (15) attached to the string part (17). In the soft actuator (1), the thermoelectric element part (13) and the power supply part (15) can make a closed circuit. In the soft actuator (1), the thermoelectric element part (13) and the driving part (11) cross each other several times. The soft actuator (1) can be set to supply same heat energy to one of the first string (1101) and the second string (1103). The soft actuator (1) can include the unit body (1100) and the driving part (11) driving to the same direction. In the soft actuator (1), the string part (17) can support the driving of the driving part (11). The string part (17) of the soft actuator (1) can be made of a flexible material. In FIG. 28, it is shown that some of the conductor (133) are installed outside the string part (17), however the soft actuator (1) can have the structure wherein the conductor (133) having a wide area and the string part (17) are connected. In the soft actuator (1), the power supply part (15) determines the direction of current flow, so that the direction of contraction or expansion of the driving part (11) can be regulated. The soft actuator (1) having the single driving part (11) prepared in a detachable form on the body can be used as a muscular strength aid to assist muscular strength.

EXAMPLE 2

Cylindrical Soft Actuator (1)

(176) FIG. 29 illustrates the cylindrical band of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(177) FIG. 30 illustrates the spreaded cylindrical band of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(178) In the soft actuator, the multiple unit bodies (1100) are arranged in parallel to form the driving surface (11a or 11b) and the driving surface (11a or 11b) makes a pair with the string part (17) composed of the flexible string connected to the side of the unit body (1100) in parallel, and these pairs are arranged by turns to form the cylindrical side wall. In the thermoelectric element part (13), a conduction pathway is formed on the one driving surface (11a or 11b) in which current is transmitted to the second conductive body (135) through the conductor (133) via the first conductive body (132), and another conduction pathway is formed on the other driving surface (11a or 11b) in which current is transmitted to the first conductive body (132) through the conductor (133) via the second conductive body (135). This pair of driving surfaces (11a and 11b) can generate a bending moment by realizing different drivings during contraction or expansion when it is supplied with current from the thermoelectric element part (13).

(179) In an example of the present invention, the soft actuator (1) can be prepared in the form of a cylinder including hollows. By comprising the driving part (11) and the string part (17), the soft actuator (1) exhibits the characteristics of a flexible band. By the parallel connection of the unit body (1100) in the soft actuator (1), the width of the driving surface (11a or 11b) can be changed. The driving surface (11a or 11b) of the soft actuator (1) can be divided into the first driving surface (11a) and the second driving surface (11b) that can be contracted or expanded differently when current is supplied from the power supply part (15). In the soft actuator (1), the thermoelectric element part (13) and the power supply part (15) can form a closed circuit. In the soft actuator (1), the power supply part (15) can be placed in the string part (17). In the first driving surface (11a) and the second driving surface (11b) of the soft actuator (1), n-type semiconductor or p-type semiconductor is arranged differently, so that the first driving surface (11a) and the second driving surface (11b) can be contracted or expanded by the direction of current.

(180) As shown in FIG. 30, the driving surface (11a or 11b) is supplied with current in the other direction from the power supply part (15) to realize two kinds of bending moments. The power supply part (15) can supply current to the right or to the left. Therefore, when current is supplied from the power supply part (15) to the driving surface (11a or 11b) to the direction of right, the first driving surface (11a) is expanded, and therefore the second driving surface (11b) is contracted. On the other hand, when current is supplied from the power supply part (15) to the driving surface (11a or 11b) to the direction of left, the first driving surface (11a) is contracted and therefore the second driving surface (11b) is expanded. The opposite driving between the first driving surface (11a) and the second driving surface (11b) can generate a bending moment in the cylindrical soft actuator (1). The cylindrical soft actuator (1) that can generate a bending moment can be used as a muscular strength aid to support muscular strength by being worn on some body parts with joints, such as elbows or knees. In particular, the cylindrical soft actuator (1) can assist in fast and repetitive motion, such as climbing stairs when worn on a user's knee.

(181) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptions and specific embodiments disclosed in the foregoing description may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended Claims.

(182) FIG. 31 is the perspective view of the soft actuator according to an example of the present invention.

(183) As shown in FIG. 31, the soft actuator (1) can include the driving part (11) and the driving cable (13).

(184) The soft actuator (1) can include the driving part (11) composed of the unit body (1100) comprising the first string (1101) which is twisted and coiled and the second string (1103) which is also twisted and coiled and placed with maintaining some distance from the first string (1101); and the driving cable (12) in which a hollow is formed and the unit body (1100) is inserted into the hollow.

(185) In an example of the present invention, in the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1), the first string (1101) has a smaller coiling radius than the second string (1103) and the second string (1103) wraps the first string (1101) to form the unit body (1100). In the soft actuator (1), the driving part (11) can be introduced into the driving cable (12) to implement the driving of the soft actuator (1).

(186) FIG. 31 illustrates the twisted string that forms the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(187) As shown in FIG. 31, the string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) of the invention is primarily twisted. To give the twisted structure to the string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1), one end of the string is fixed and the other end of the string is rotated or both ends are rotated. The direction of the twisting in the string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) itself does not affect the driving of the soft actuator (1), and instead the relation between the coiling direction and twist direction which will be described hereinafter can determine the characteristics of the string. The diameter and the size of the string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) are not limited and can be different between the first string (1101) and the second string (1103).

(188) In an example of the present invention, the string constituting the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) can be selected from the group consisting of such polymers as nylon, shape memory polyurethane, polyethylene, and rubber. By using such polymers as the string forming the soft actuator (1), the soft actuator (1) can maintain the reversible structure wherein the string is untwisted and retwisted even at a high temperature. The string forming the soft actuator (1) can be changed not only by heating but also by cooling, so that it can provide a reversible rotation movement to going back to the initial coiled structure.

(189) FIG. 1 illustrates the coiling structure of the string constructing the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(190) As shown in FIG. 1, the string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) can be twisted first and then the twisted string can be coiled additionally. The direction of coiling of the string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) can be equal to or different from the direction of twist. A method to make the string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) coiled is not limited to a specific one.

(191) As an example, one side of the string is fixed and the other side of the string is rotated to make the coiling structure. Or, the string wraps a pipe to make the string coiled. When the string is twisted and coiled at the same time, the driving force of the string induced by heating and cooling becomes strong and the characteristics of the string can be changed according to the direction of the twist and coiling. The volume of the string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) can be varied from the twist and coiling.

(192) FIG. 4 illustrates the homochiral string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(193) The homochiral string is the string in which the directions of both twist and coiling are same. The homochiral string can be contracted as the string is heated and can be expanded as the string is cooled.

(194) FIG. 3 illustrates the heterochiral string forming the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(195) The heterochiral string is the string in which the direction of twist is opposite to the direction of coiling. The heterochiral string can move oppositely to the homochiral string. The heterochiral string can be expanded as the string is heated and can be contracted as the string is cooled.

(196) One of the strings, the first string (1101) and the second string (1103), forming the driving part (11) can be the homochiral string displaying that the directions of twist and coiling are same, and the other string can be the heterochiral string displaying that the directions of twist and coiling are different.

(197) In an example of the present invention, the driving part (11) is composed of the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) having different structures, so that the driving part can realize the different drivings by same heat energy. The first string (1101) can be the homochiral string. At this time, the second string (1103) is the heterochiral string, so that the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) display different structures. It is also possible that the first string (1101) is the heterochiral string. At this time, the second string (1103) is the homochiral string, so that the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) display different structures.

(198) The driving part (11) includes the thermoelectric element (not shown) generating heat with the current provided. The thermoelectric element (not shown) can deliver heat energy to the first string (1101) and the second string (1103).

(199) In an example of the present invention, the driving part (11) can include the thermoelectric element (not shown) playing a role in converting electric energy into heat energy in the course of making the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) twisted and coiled. The thermoelectric element (not shown) can be included in the driving part (11) in the form of electrothermal wire or electrothermal coating. The thermoelectric element (not shown) can heat the first string (1101) and the second string (1103). The thermoelectric element (not shown) is connected to the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) separately, so that it can heat the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) separately.

(200) FIG. 32 illustrates the unit body (1100) constructing the driving part (11) of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(201) FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(202) The driving part (11) can realize different behaviors, either contraction or expansion, between the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) forming the unit body (1100) when the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) are heated or cooled.

(203) In an example of the present invention, the first string (1101) constituting the unit body (1100) of the driving part (11) can be contracted when it is heated.

(204) At this time, the driving part (11) can realize different behaviors when the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) are provided with the same heat energy since the second string (1103) forming the unit body (1100) is expanded by heating. Therefore, the first string (1101) and the second string (1103) constituting the unit body (1100) are not heated or cooled simultaneously, and instead they are heated or cooled independently to induce the driving of the soft actuator (1).

(205) The driving part (11) can include several unit bodies (1100).

(206) In an example of the present invention, the driving part (11) can include one or more unit bodies (1100). The driving part (11) is penetrated into the driving cable (12) and several unit bodies (1100) can be arranged apart. As the number of unit bodies (1100) included in the driving part (11) increases, the driving of the soft actuator (1) can be controlled more accurately. However, the number of unit bodies (1100) in the driving part (11) should not exceed the number of unit bodies that may be contained within the volume of the driving cable (12). Preferably, the driving part (11) includes at least three unit bodies (1100). The unit bodies (1100) are not arranged densely on one side of the driving cable (12) but uniformly disposed on the front surface of the driving cable (12) to realize driving of the soft actuator (1).

(207) The driving part (11) makes the movement of the driving cable (12) such as tension, compression, bending, and rotation possible by the independent driving of several unit bodies (1100) therein.

(208) The independent driving of those multiple unit bodies (1100) makes the tension, compression, bending, and rotation possible, which are illustrated in the following examples in more detail.

(209) The driving cable (12) may have multiple hollows corresponding to the number of the unit bodies (1100).

(210) In an example of the present invention, the driving cable (12) can have enough space to allow multiple unit bodies (1100) to be intruded. The driving cable (12) may have the same number of hollows as the number of unit bodies (1100) to be intruded. The hollows in the driving cable (12) can be uniformly formed on the entire surface of the driving cable (12) without being densely arranged on one side. The hollow of the driving cable (12) can penetrate one surface of the driving cable (12) and the other surface thereof. The driving cable (12) can wrap one surface or the other surface of the unit body, so that the unit body (1100) and the driving cable (12) are driven in the same track. A side wall can be made of a flexible material to prevent the resistance generated by the driving cable (12) in the soft actuator.

(211) Hereinafter, the tension, compression, bending, and rotation of the soft actuator (1) are described in the following examples. The soft actuator (1) comprising the 4 unit bodies (1100) is described in each example in advance to describe the driving. As shown in the cross-sectional view, the unit body (1100) sitting at the direction of 12 o'clock is indicated as (a), and the unit bodies (1100) arranged regularly from the standard position (a) at the intervals of 90 degree clock-wise are indicate respectively as (b), (c), and (d).

EXAMPLE 3

Tension and Compression

(212) FIG. 34 illustrates the compression or tension of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(213) In an example of the present invention, the first strings (1101) of the unit body (1100a)˜the unit body (1100d) can be heated simultaneously. By that, the soft actuator (1) can be compressed or expanded. In particular, when all the first strings (1101) are composed of homochiral strings, the soft actuator (1) can be compressed by heating the first string (1101). At this time, the second strings (1103) have to be heterochiral strings, and the soft actuator (1) can be expanded by heating the second string (1103). On the other hand, when all the first strings (1101) are heterochiral strings, the soft actuator (1) can be expanded by heating the first string (1101). And at this time, the second strings (1103) are necessarily homochiral strings and the soft actuator (1) can be compressed by heating the second string (1103).

(214) The compression or expansion can be accomplished when a pair of the unit bodies (1100) facing each other are compressed or expanded. For example, the first strings (1101) or the second strings (1103) of the unit bodies (1100)(a) and (c) are heated simultaneously, the soft actuator (1) can be compressed or expanded. Also, when the first strings (1101) or the second strings (1103) of the unit bodies (1100)(b) and (d) are heated simultaneously, the soft actuator 91) can be compressed or expanded.

EXAMPLE 4

Bending

(215) FIG. 35 illustrates the bending of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(216) In an example of the present invention, the bending movement of the soft actuator (1) can be achieved by contracting or expanding each unit body (1100). When all the first strings (1101) of the unit bodies (1100) are homochiral strings, the unit body (1100)(a) can be independently contracted by heating the first string (1101) of the unit body (1100)(a). At this time, all the second strings (1103) of those unit bodies (1100) are heterochiral strings. The not-heated unit bodies (1100)(b)˜(d) are pulled to the direction of the contracted unit body (1100)(a) and then the soft actuator (1) is bending to the direction of (a). At this time, the unit body (1100)(c) can be further expanded by heating the second string (1103) of the unit body (1100)(c). By that, the degree of bending of the soft actuator (1) can be controlled.

(217) By heating the second string (1103) of the unit body (1100)(c), the second string (1103) of the unit body (1100)(c) can be expanded independently. At this time, the non-heated unit bodies (1100)(a), (b), and (d) are pulled back to the opposite direction of the expanded unit body (1100)(c) and the soft actuator (1) realizes the bending movement to the direction of (a). By heating the first string (1101) of the unit body (1100)(a), the unit body (1100)(a) can be contracted. In this way, the degree of bending of the soft actuator (1) can be controlled.

(218) By heating the second string (1103) of the unit body (1100)(a) to expand thereof and by expanding the second string (1103) of the unit body (1100)(c) with supplying a large amount of heat energy, the bending movement of the soft actuator (1) can be accomplished to the direction of (a) due to the difference in length of the expanded unit bodies (1100). The bending movement can be achieved with reference to the unit bodies (1100)(b), (c), and (d), and accordingly the bending movement is possible in 4 directions of up, down, left, and right.

(219) When all the first strings (1101) are heterochiral strings and at the same time all the second strings (1103) are homochiral strings, the bending movement can be achieved in all four directions of up, down, left, and right by heating the first strings (1101) or the second strings (1103) of the unit bodies (1100)(a)˜(d) according to the method described above.

(220) In an example of the present invention, the bending movement of the soft actuator (1) can be achieved to other directions than the four directions above by heating the multiple neighboring unit bodies (1100) to contract or expand them. When all the first strings (1101) are homochiral strings and at the same time all the second strings (1103) are heterochiral strings, the unit bodies (a) and (b) can be contracted by heating the first strings (1101) of the unit bodies (1100)(a) and (b). At this time, the unit bodies (c) and (d) are pulled to the direction of (a) and (b), by which the soft actuator (1) realizes the right-upward bending movement. The direction of bending can be precisely controlled by regulating the amount of heat energy delivered to the unit bodies (1100)(a) and (b). Additionally, the right-upward bending movement of the soft actuator (1) can be increased by heating the second strings (1103) of the unit bodies (1100)(c) and (d) to cause them expanded.

(221) In the meantime, the unit body (1100)(c) and the unit body (1100)(d) can be expanded by heating the second strings (1103) of the unit body (1100)(c) and the unit body (1100)(d). At this time, the unit bodies (1100)(a) and (b) are pulled back toward the direction of (a) and (b), by which the soft actuator (1) can achieve the right-upward bending movement. Also, the direction of bending movement can be controlled more accurately by regulating the amount of heat energy delivered to each of the unit body (1100)(c) and the unit body (1100)(d). Additionally, the right-upward bending movement of the soft actuator (1) can be increased by heating the first strings (1101) of the unit bodies (1100)(a) and (b) to cause them contracted.

(222) By heating the second strings (1103) of the unit bodies (1100)(a) and (b) to expand thereof and by expanding the second strings (1103) of the unit bodies (1100)(c) and (d) with supplying a large amount of heat energy, the right-upward bending movement of the soft actuator (1) can be accomplished due to the difference in length of the expanded unit bodies (1100). The bending movement can be achieved with reference to all the unit bodies (1100), and accordingly the bending movement to all directions including up-right, down-right, up-left, and down-left directions can be accomplished.

(223) When all the first strings (1101) are heterochiral strings and at the same time all the second strings (1103) are homochiral strings, the multi-directional bending movement can be achieved by heating the first string (1101) or the second strings (1103) of the unit bodies (a)˜(d) according to the method described above.

EXAMPLE 5

Rotation

(224) FIG. 36 illustrates the rotation of the soft actuator (1) according to an example of the present invention.

(225) In an example of the present invention, the rotation movement of the soft actuator (1) can be achieved when the bending movement described above continues. First, the bending is achieved to the direction of the unit body (110)(a), and then the bending continues to the direction of the unit bodies (110)(b)˜(d) serially, and then the soft actuator (1) rotates clockwise. To accomplish more accurate rotation, the two neighboring unit bodies (110) are heated simultaneously and the heat energy delivered to each unit body (110) is regulated, and then the bending direction can be slowly changed. On the other hand, when the bending continues to the direction of the unit bodies (110)(d)˜(b) serially after the bending has been achieved to the direction of the unit body (110)(a), the soft actuator (1) rotates counterclockwise. The bending direction can be gradually changed by adjusting the heat energy delivered to each unit body (110) while simultaneously heating the two adjacent unit bodies (110). In addition, the rotation speed of the soft actuator (1) can be controlled by changing the time interval for heating each unit body (110). And the rotation radius of the soft actuator (1) can be regulated by applying a method of controlling the degree of bending described above.

(226) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptions and specific embodiments disclosed in the foregoing description may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE MARK OF DRAWINGS

(227) 1, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 1000: soft actuator 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010: string 111, 211, 311, 411, 511, 1101: first string 131, 231, 331, 431, 531, 1103: second string 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 1020: thermoelectric element 121, 621, 721a, 721b, 821, 921: first electrode 122, 622, 722a, 722b, 822, 922: P-type thermoelectric material 123, 623, 723a, 723b, 823, 923: N-type thermoelectric material 124, 624, 724a, 724b, 824, 924: second electrode 230, 830: control part 340, 940: adhesive layer 750: insulating layer 11: driving part 11a: first driving surface 11b: second driving surface 1100: unit body 131: first conductive body 133: conductor 135: second conductive body 15: power supply part 17: string part 12: driving cable 13: thermoelectric element part