A Linear Dielectric EAP Actuator with Large Displacement Output

In order to increase the displacement output of linear dielectric EAP actuator, influencing factor is analyzed. A diamond four-bar linkage mechanism is used to implement the negative stiffness preload, which is similar to the stiffness curve of actuator and can enlarge the distance between two working equilibrium positions. Analytical and experimental results agree well and both of them show that displacement output of 17 mm can be obtained for actuator with negative stiffness preload. Also, the force output of actuator is measured and maximum force is 1.77 N when actuator returns. The displacement output improvement and force measurement will be beneficial to the optimization and application of dielectric EAP actuator.