光驱动液晶弹性体扭曲环带软致动器的有限元分析

Finite Element Analysis of Light-Driven Liquid Crystal Elastomer Twisted Toroidal Ribbon Soft Actuators

目前基于液晶弹性体材料的软致动器大多结构简单,形变模式单一,很难满足实际复杂情况下的使用需求。因此将光热响应型液晶弹性体材料和扭曲环状拓扑结构相结合,制备了一系列新型扭曲环带软致动器,其可以在近红外光照射下实现稳定连续的旋转运动。在此实验基础上,利用MATLAB软件对B-M?bius[+2]型软致动器进一步建立三维有限元模型,通过对温度分布、重心、热应力、角速度、角加速度及角位移等参数进行设定、计算及调整,成功地模拟了扭曲环带软致动器在近红外光照射下的受力变化及运动状态变化过程,仿真结果和实验制备的光驱动扭曲环带软致动器的实际运动情况相符。构建此类模型可为未来具有复杂拓扑结构的致动器实验及应用提供理论基础,有助于拓展扭曲环带软致动器的实际应用。

At present,most of the liquid crystal elastomer(LCE)soft actuators are relatively simple in topological structures and deformation modes,which seriously hinder the applications potentials in real complex scenarios.Combining the unique material properties of LCE materials and the interesting topological structure of the twisted toroidal ribbon,a series of photothermal-responsive LCE-based twisted toroidal ribbon soft actuators was reported.These actuators can perform stable and continuous motion under the irradiation of near-infrared(NIR)light.Based on these experimental results,we established a finite element analysis model based on B-M?bius[+2]actuator.By setting and adjusting the parameters of the twisted toroidal ribbon actuators,including temperature distribution,gravity center,thermal stress,angular displacement,angular velocity and angular acceleration,the stress and motion modes of the twisted toroidal ribbon actuators under NIR light were successfully simulated.The simulation results are in accord with the actual motion of the twisted toroidal ribbon actuators manufactured in the laboratory.The model can provide a theoretical basis approach for future experiments and applications of such complexicated topologiescal actuators,and help to further expand and broaden the application scope and the application range of twisted toroidal ribbon actuators.