Actuator device, actuation method and manufacturing method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11274253-B2
Application number	US-201716332854-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 18, 2017
Priority date	Sep 21, 2016
Publication date	Mar 15, 2022
Grant date	Mar 15, 2022

Abstract

An actuator device comprises a stack formed from a plurality of photoresponsive layers, which deform in response to light, which are partitioned by respective deformable non-photoresponsive layers. The deformable non-photoresponsive layers guide light between and to the photoresponsive layers, and can follow the deformation of the photoresponsive layers.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An actuator device comprising:
a plurality of photoresponsive layers, wherein the plurality of photoresponsive layers deform in response to incident light;
a deformable non-photoresponsive layer positioned at least partly between each adjacent pair of the plurality of photoresponsive layers,
wherein the plurality of photoresponsive layers and the deformable non-photoresponsive layers are arranged in a stack, and
wherein each deformable non-photoresponsive layer guides light between and to the plurality of photoresponsive layers; and
a mechanical coupling disposed on at least one side of the stack in a stacking direction, wherein the mechanical coupling integrates one or more light sources, and wherein the one or more light sources are arranged to provide the incident light.

2. The actuator device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of photoresponsive layers comprises at least one liquid crystalline component and at least one photoresponsive group.

3. The actuator device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the at least one photoresponsive group is at least one of cinnamic acid-derived, cinnamylidene-derived, spiropyran-derived, and azobenzene-derived groups.

4. The actuator device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the thickness of each photoresponsive layer is 1 to 50 microns.

5. The actuator device as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein the mechanical coupling fixes the relative positions of the plurality of photoresponsive layers and the deformable non-photoresponsive layers in the stacking direction, and
wherein the mechanical coupling allows contraction and expansion of the stack.

6. The actuator device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the mechanical coupling comprises a polymer, and wherein the polymer is an acrylate polymer.

7. The actuator device as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein the mechanical coupling fixes the relative positions of the plurality of photoresponsive layers and the deformable non-photoresponsive layers in the stacking direction, and
wherein the mechanical coupling allows bowing of the stack.

8. The actuator device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the mechanical coupling comprises a polymer.

9. The actuator device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the polymer is an acrylate polymer.

10. The actuator device as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein each photoresponsive layer of the plurality of photoresponsive layers comprises a liquid crystalline component, and
wherein the liquid crystalline component is curable.

11. The actuator device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the deformable non-photoresponsive layer comprises a polymer or rubber.

12. The actuator device as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein one or more other light sources are provided at the top and bottom of the stack of the plurality of photoresponsive layers and the deformable non-photoresponsive layers.

13. The actuator device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a photoresponsive layer of the plurality of photoresponsive layers comprises an acrylate functionalized liquid crystalline component.

14. The actuator device as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein the one or more light sources are provided at said at least one side of the stack of the plurality of photoresponsive layers and the deformable non-photoresponsive layers.

15. A method of manufacturing an actuator device, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of photoresponsive layers, wherein the plurality of photoresponsive layers deform in response to incident light;
disposing a respective deformable non-photoresponsive layer at least partly between each adjacent pair of the plurality of photoresponsive layers,
wherein the plurality of photoresponsive layers and the deformable non-photoresponsive layers are arranged in a stack,
wherein each deformable non-photoresponsive layer guides light between and to the plurality of photoresponsive layers,
wherein a mechanical coupling is disposed on at least one side of the stack in a stacking direction,
wherein the mechanical coupling integrates one or more light sources, and
wherein the one or more light sources are arranged to provide the incident light.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising:
stacking the plurality of photoresponsive layers between interlamellar spacers;
filling the interlamellar spaces with at least one curable material; and
curing the at least one curable material.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising:
coating the plurality of photoresponsive layers with at least one curable material;
stacking the coated plurality of photoresponsive layers; and
curing the at least one curable material.

18. The method as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising:
stacking the plurality of photoresponsive layers between interlamellar spacers, wherein the stack has one or more sides;
filling the interlamellar spaces, and coating at least one of the one or more sides of the stack, with at least one curable material; and
curing the at least one curable material.

19. The method as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising:
coating the plurality of photoresponsive layers with at least one curable material, wherein the stack has one or more sides;
stacking the coated plurality of photoresponsive layers, and coating at least one of the one or more sides of the stack with the at least one curable material; and
curing the at least one curable material.

Assignees

• Koninklijke Philips Nv

Inventors

• Lub Johan
• Willard Nicolaas Petrus
• Hendriks Cornelis Petrus
• Van Den Aker Karel Johannes Adrianus

Classifications

• F03G7/016

  Photosensitive actuators, e.g. using the principle of Crookes radiometer · CPC title

• F03G7/0613

  using layers of different materials joined together, e.g. bimetals · CPC title

• B32B7/023 Primary

  Optical properties · CPC title

• C09K19/3852 Primary

  Poly(meth)acrylate derivatives · CPC title

• B29C70/00

  Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts · CPC title