Electrostatic Linear Actuators Developed as Biomimicking Skeletal Muscle : Theoretical and Experimental Analysis for Two-Dimensional Integration of Unit Actuators

Abstract

We applied the technology of biomimetics to the development of an artificial muscle using a new theory of muscle contraction, termed the electrostatic linear actuator model. A unit actuator of the artificial muscle consists of a parallel-plate capacitor and a slider. To increase output force of the actuator, we must integrate many unit actuators. To generate the maximum output force of the actuator, we attempted to determine the optimal aspect ratio (distance between electrodes of capacitor/length of electrode) that represents the integration rate of the actuator. It became clear through the computer simulation and the experimental measurement that the optimal range of the aspect ratio is from 1.6 to 1.7.