Analysis of parameter effects on thrust force and optimum driving frequency in an electrostatic induction dielectric sheet conveyor
In recent years, electrostatic induction has been introduced as a new approach for transporting dielectric sheets. Electrostatic Induction Sheet Conveyor (EISC) is a kind of electrostatic induction actuator which can directly handle dielectric sheet objects, such as papers and plastic films in asynchronous state. The capability of sheet handling demands more studies to recognize parameters influencing thrust force and optimum driving frequency of dielectric sheets in this actuator. In this paper, using the proposed model in previous work, the effect of parameters including geometric parameters of slider and stator, electrical properties of dielectric sheet and environmental conditions on thrust force and optimum driving frequency of the actuator were analytically investigated.
A 2-DOF electrostatic sheet conveyer using wire mesh for desktop automation
The present paper proposes an electrostatic actuator that realizes two-degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion of various sheet-like objects. The actuator utilizes electrostatic actuation technology based on induced charges. The technology can directly handle sheet objects, such as papers and plastic films with a particular surface resistance. The structure of the actuator is flat and thin, and thus it can be easily embedded on any desktop so that the desktop can have a function to physically interact with users. With the function, the desktop can be automated in such a way that it drives various objects on it to help users perform various desktop tasks. The prototype actuator presented here uses wire mesh as its electrode panel to realize two-DOF motion. The structure of the wire mesh and basic driving principle of two-DOF actuation are described. The challenge that arises when utilizing wire mesh panel is that actuations for objects can be sometimes coupled if there are multiple objects on the panel; for example, if we try to move only one object, the other objects nearby would move together unexpectedly. To solve this problem, the paper proposes a selective actuation technique that realizes handling of any one object with keeping other objects at rest
Electrostatic devices for particle micro-handling
Devices for particle micro-handling using an AC electric field are proposed and experimentally validated. With the application of balanced multi-phase high voltage in the 0.2 kV/sub ptp/ to 2 kV/sub ptp/ range to a series of encased parallel electrodes with a typical center-to-center pitch length of /spl mu/m, particles on a thin protecting and insulating film become charged and are conveyed by the created traveling field. Devices with various novel transportation and manipulation features, utilizing multi-phase AC electric fields that instantly generate particle driving forces, have been designed and produced. Their features include newly developed methods for particle conveyance smoothing, grouping, and sorting, as well as two-dimensional handling. Traced particle conveyance characteristics have been studied under the influence of three different voltage profiles, three- and six-phase supply and in diverse environments. Various particle materials with a 5 /spl mu/m to 400 /spl mu/m diameter range have been examined in experiments; Fe, Al, glass, and plastic spheres showed the best performance.