Seesaw type actuator using balancing between electrostatic force, elasticity, and gravity

Abstract

Actuators are becoming more diverse in shape and have diverse applications. New techniques and materials have been adapted to numerous actuators with novel structures. In this study, a new actuator with a seesaw structure was proposed and fabricated. This actuator has a relatively simple design utilizing electrostatic attraction, and it can be easily controlled by an external electrical input. Interestingly, the actuator is operated by force balancing between electrostatic attraction, elasticity, and gravity. We present a physics-based model describing the operation of the actuator. We validated the theoretical model through comparison with experiments. The theoretical expectations and experimental results agree well with some discrepancy at particular frequencies under one hertz.