Actuator and method for manufacturing planar electrode support for actuator

Abstract

An actuator as a drive source of robots and the like is usable for housekeeping assistance, job assistance, and nursing help. The drive source itself is small, light, flexible, and safe. A manufacturing method for a planar electrode support therefor is also described. The actuator has an electrolyte layer in contact with a conductive polymer layer disposed in between a first electrode having the conductive polymer layer attached thereto and opposite second electrode, for deforming the conductive polymer layer by application of electric fields to the electrodes. The first electrode has low rigidity in a longitudinal direction of the conductive polymer layer to facilitate expansion and contraction thereof.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . A manufacturing method for a planar electrode support for a flat-plate low-profile actuator, in which the flat-plate low-profile actuator has an electrolyte layer in contact with a conductive polymer layer disposed in between an electrode having the planar conductive polymer layer attached thereto and an opposite electrode for deforming the conductive polymer layer to be swelled and shrunken by application of electric fields to between both electrodes, and the planar electrode support is composed of the conductive polymer layer and the electrodes, comprising:
 patterning a planar electrode as the electrode through etching or punching to have at least one bent portion along a longitudinal direction that is an expansion and contraction direction of the conductive polymer layer so that rigidity in the longitudinal direction is low while rigidity in a width direction almost orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is high; and   in a state that the patterned planar electrode is in contact with another flat plate, forming the conductive polymer layer on the electrode by electrolytic polymerization or casting method, and then removing the flat plate to manufacture the planar electrode support.   
   
   
       17 . The manufacturing method for a planar electrode support for a flat-plate low-profile actuator as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the conductive polymer layer is further formed, by electrolytic polymerization or casting, on a surface with the flat plate being removed to manufacture the planar electrode support. 
   
   
       18 . The manufacturing method for a planar electrode support for a flat-plate low-profile actuator as defined in  claim 16 , wherein in a state that the planar electrode to make the electrode is linked to a cutoff portion, which will not remain as the electrode, through a cutoff portion link portion, the conductive polymer layer is formed on the electrode by electrolytic polymerization or casting and then the cutoff portion is removed by cutting at the cutoff portion link portion to manufacture the planar electrode support. 
   
   
       19 . The manufacturing method for a planar electrode support for a flat-plate low-profile actuator as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the planar electrode to make the electrode is a magnetic substance, and the electrode made of the magnetic substance is brought into contact with the another flat plate through attraction by magnetic force.