阅读说明：本技术 介电弹性体振动系统及电源装置 (Dielectric elastomer vibration system and power supply device ) 是由 千叶正毅 和气美纪夫 伊藤光明 泽田诚 于 2019-09-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种介电弹性体振动系统(A1),其具有介电弹性体振动元件(1)和电源装置(2)。介电弹性体振动元件(1)具有介电弹性体层(11)和一对电极层(12),所述电源装置(2)使一对电极层(12)产生电位差,介电弹性体振动元件(1)具有：高响应区域(S1),其中一对电极层(12)的电位差与变形量的关系为变形量相对于电位差的变化大；小电位差侧的低响应区域(S2),其为比高响应区域(S1)的电位差小的区域,变形量相对于电位差的变化小；大电位差侧的低响应区域(S3),其为比高响应区域(S1)的电位差大的区域,变形量相对于电位差的变化小或者包括介电弹性体层(11)的断裂点,电源装置(2)通过在一对电极层(12)施加由作为交流电压的波形电压(V1)和作为产生高响应区域(S1)的电位差的直流电压的偏置电压(V2)合成的振动信号电压(V),来产生电位差。通过这样的结构能够更加适当地振动。(A dielectric elastomer vibration system (A1) has a dielectric elastomer vibration element (1) and a power supply device (2). The dielectric elastomer vibration element (1) comprises a dielectric elastomer layer (11) and a pair of electrode layers (12), wherein the power supply device (2) generates a potential difference between the pair of electrode layers (12), and the dielectric elastomer vibration element (1) comprises: a high response region (S1) in which the relationship between the potential difference and the amount of deformation of the pair of electrode layers (12) is such that the amount of deformation changes greatly with respect to the potential difference; a low-response region (S2) on the small potential difference side, which is a region having a smaller potential difference than the high-response region (S1), and in which the amount of deformation is small with respect to the change in potential difference; and a low-response region (S3) on the side of a large potential difference, which is a region larger than the potential difference of the high-response region (S1), the deformation amount of which is small with respect to the change in the potential difference or which includes the breaking point of the dielectric elastomer layer (11), wherein the power supply device (2) generates the potential difference by applying, to the pair of electrode layers (12), an oscillation signal voltage (V) composed of a waveform voltage (V1) which is an AC voltage and a bias voltage (V2) which is a DC voltage generating the potential difference of the high-response region (S1). With such a structure, more appropriate vibration can be achieved.)

1. A dielectric elastomer vibration system, comprising:

a dielectric elastomer vibration element having a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer; and

a power supply device for generating a potential difference between the pair of electrode layers,

the dielectric elastomer vibration element has:

a high response region in which a relationship between a potential difference and a deformation amount of the pair of electrode layers is such that a change in the deformation amount with respect to the potential difference is large;

a low-response region on the small potential difference side, which is a region having a potential difference smaller than that of the high-response region, and in which a change in deformation amount with respect to the potential difference is small; and

a low-response region on the large potential difference side, which is a region having a potential difference larger than that of the high-response region, and in which the deformation amount is small with respect to the change in the potential difference or includes a breaking point of the dielectric elastomer layer,

the power supply device generates the potential difference by applying a vibration signal voltage composed of a waveform voltage as an alternating-current voltage and a bias voltage as a direct-current voltage that generates the potential difference in the high-response region to the pair of electrode layers.

2. The dielectric elastomer vibration system of claim 1,

the maximum value and the minimum value of the potential difference generated by the vibration signal voltage exist in the high response region.

3. The dielectric elastomer vibration system of claim 1 or 2,

the potential difference generated by the bias voltage is a median value of the high response region.

4. The dielectric elastomer vibration system of any of claims 1 to 3,

the power supply device has a transformer having a boosting function.

5. The dielectric elastomer vibration system of claim 4, having:

two of the dielectric elastomer vibration elements, the dielectric elastomer layer of each other being fixed in an extended state,

the transformer of the power supply device has one primary coil and two secondary coils wound in opposite directions to each other, generates two waveform voltages whose phases are inverted from each other from one of the waveform voltages,

the power supply device applies two vibration signal voltages whose phases are inverted to each other to the pair of electrode layers of the two dielectric elastomer vibration elements, respectively.

6. The dielectric elastomer vibration system of claim 5, wherein,

the bias voltage is input to a connection point of the two secondary coils of the transformer.

7. A dielectric elastomer vibration system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, having:

two of the dielectric elastomer vibration elements, the dielectric elastomer layer of each other being fixed in an extended state,

the power supply device applies two vibration signal voltages whose phases are inverted to each other to the pair of electrode layers of the two dielectric elastomer vibration elements, respectively.

8. The dielectric elastomer vibration system of claim 7,

the power supply device has a transformer that applies the bias voltage.

9. The dielectric elastomer vibration system of claim 8,

the transformer also performs boosting of the waveform voltage.

10. The dielectric elastomer vibration system of claim 9,

the transformer also performs phase inversion of the waveform voltage.

11. The dielectric elastomer vibration system of claim 7,

the power supply device includes a transformer for performing phase inversion of the waveform voltage.

12. The dielectric elastomer vibration system of claim 11,

the transformer also performs boosting of the waveform voltage.

13. A power supply device for generating a potential difference between a pair of electrode layers of a dielectric elastomer vibration element having a dielectric elastomer layer and the pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer,

the dielectric elastomer vibration element has:

a high response region in which a relationship between a potential difference and a deformation amount of the pair of electrode layers is such that a change in the deformation amount with respect to the potential difference is large;

a low-response region on the small potential difference side, which is a region having a potential difference smaller than that of the high-response region, and in which a change in deformation amount with respect to the potential difference is small; and the number of the first and second groups,

a low-response region on the large potential difference side, which is a region having a potential difference larger than that of the high-response region, and in which the deformation amount is small with respect to the change in the potential difference or includes a breaking point of the dielectric elastomer layer,

the potential difference is generated by applying a vibration signal voltage composed of a waveform voltage formed of an alternating voltage and a bias voltage as a direct voltage that generates a potential difference in the high response region to the pair of electrode layers.

14. The power supply device according to claim 13,

the power supply device has a transformer having a boosting function.

15. The power supply device according to claim 14,

the transformer of the power supply device has one primary coil and two secondary coils wound in opposite directions to each other, generates two waveform voltages whose phases are inverted from each other from one of the waveform voltages,

the power supply device outputs two vibration signal voltages whose phases are inverted to each other to the two dielectric elastomer vibration elements, and the dielectric elastomer layers of the two dielectric elastomer vibration elements are fixed to each other in an extended state.

16. The power supply device according to claim 15,

the bias voltage is input to a connection point of the two secondary coils of the transformer.

17. The power supply device according to claim 13,

the two vibration signal voltages whose phases are inverted from each other are applied to the pair of electrode layers of the two dielectric elastomer vibration elements, respectively, and the dielectric elastomer layers of the two dielectric elastomer vibration elements are fixed in an extended state.

18. The power supply device according to claim 17, having:

a transformer for applying the bias voltage.

19. The power supply device according to claim 18,

the transformer also performs boosting of the waveform voltage.

20. The power supply apparatus according to claim 19,

the transformer also performs phase inversion of the waveform voltage.

21. The power supply device according to claim 17, having:

and a transformer for performing phase inversion of the waveform voltage.

22. The power supply device according to claim 21,

the transformer also performs boosting of the waveform voltage.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a dielectric elastomer vibration system that functions as a speaker, for example, and a power supply device used for the system.

Background

A dielectric elastomer transducer including a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer is used for various applications such as actuators, power generation, and sensors. Patent document 1 describes a structure in which a dielectric elastomer transducer is used as a vibration element such as a speaker, which is one type of actuator.

A dielectric elastomer transducer as a vibrating element, that is, a dielectric elastomer vibrating element generates a potential difference between a pair of electrode layers by applying a vibration signal voltage having a waveform obtained by sound, and generates predetermined sound, that is, vibration.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-46953.

Problems to be solved by the invention

The sound is typically captured by the user's hearing. Therefore, there is a problem that, when the dielectric elastic body vibration element is not linearly deformed with respect to a variation in the potential difference between the pair of electrode layers caused by the input vibration signal voltage, an inappropriate sound such as a sound distortion is heard.

The present disclosure has been conceived based on the above circumstances, and its subject is to provide a dielectric elastomer vibration system and a power supply device capable of more appropriately vibrating.

Disclosure of Invention

Means for solving the problems

A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a dielectric elastomer vibration system having: a dielectric elastomer vibration element having a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer; a power supply device for generating a potential difference between the pair of electrode layers, the dielectric elastic body vibration element including: a high response region in which a relationship between a potential difference and a deformation amount of the pair of electrode layers is such that a change in the deformation amount with respect to the potential difference is large; a low-response region on the small potential difference side, which is a region having a potential difference smaller than that of the high-response region, and in which a change in deformation amount with respect to the potential difference is small; and a low-response region on the large potential difference side, the low-response region having a potential difference larger than that of the high-response region and having a deformation amount smaller than a change in the potential difference or including a breaking point of the dielectric elastomer layer, wherein the power supply device generates the potential difference by applying a vibration signal voltage composed of a waveform voltage as an alternating-current voltage and a bias voltage as a direct-current voltage generating the potential difference of the high-response region to the pair of electrode layers.

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a power supply device that generates a potential difference in a pair of electrode layers of a dielectric elastomer vibration element having a dielectric elastomer layer and the pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer, wherein the dielectric elastomer vibration element includes: a high response region in which a relationship between a potential difference and a deformation amount of the pair of electrode layers is such that a change in the deformation amount with respect to the potential difference is large; a low-response region on the small potential difference side, which is a region having a potential difference smaller than that of the high-response region, and in which a change in deformation amount with respect to the potential difference is small; and a low-response region on the large potential difference side, which is a region having a potential difference larger than that of the high-response region, and in which a deformation amount is small with respect to a change in the potential difference or includes a breaking point of the dielectric elastomer layer, wherein the potential difference is generated by applying an oscillation signal voltage to the pair of electrode layers, the oscillation signal voltage being composed of a waveform voltage formed by an alternating-current voltage and a bias voltage as a direct-current voltage that generates the potential difference of the high-response region.

Effects of the invention

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to vibrate more appropriately.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a dielectric elastomer vibration element of the dielectric elastomer vibration system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a graph showing a relationship between a potential difference and a deformation amount of the dielectric elastomer vibration element.

Fig. 5 (a) is a graph showing an example of the potential difference caused by the waveform voltage V1a in the dielectric elastomer vibration system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 5 (b) is a graph showing an example of the potential difference caused by the waveform voltage V1b in the dielectric elastomer vibration system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 (a) is a graph showing an example of the potential difference caused by the oscillation signal voltage Va in the dielectric elastomer oscillation system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 6 (b) is a graph showing an example of the potential difference caused by the oscillation signal voltage Vb in the dielectric elastomer oscillation system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 (a) is a graph showing an example of the potential difference caused by the waveform voltage V2a in the dielectric elastomer vibration system according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 11 (b) is a graph showing an example of the potential difference caused by the waveform voltage V2b in the dielectric elastomer vibration system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the dielectric elastomer vibration system according to the present disclosure, a vibration signal voltage is output from a power supply device based on an input signal related to vibration, and a dielectric elastomer vibration element is vibrated according to the vibration signal voltage. The vibration as the input signal source is not particularly limited, and various vibrations can be employed. In the following embodiments, a case where vibration is used as sound will be described as an example.

< first embodiment >

Fig. 1 to 3 show a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The dielectric elastomer vibration system a1 of the present embodiment includes a dielectric elastomer vibration element 1 and a power supply device 2. The dielectric elastomer vibration system a1 is a system that generates sound by inputting an audio signal output from the sound source 8 and amplifying the audio signal or the like, for example. The sound emitted from the dielectric elastomer vibration system a1 is represented by a sound belonging to a human audible frequency band of 20 to 20kHz, for example, but is not limited to this frequency band.

The dielectric elastomer vibration element 1 includes a dielectric elastomer layer 11, an electrode layer 12, and a support 13. In the present embodiment, the dielectric elastomer vibration element 1 includes two dielectric elastomer layers 11A and 11B and two pairs of electrode layers 12A and 12B, but may be configured to have only one dielectric elastomer layer 11 and one pair of electrode layers 12, unlike the present embodiment. In this case, it is preferable to provide an elastic member (not shown) for extending the dielectric elastomer layer 11 in a state where no potential difference is generated between the pair of electrode layers 12.

The dielectric elastomer layer 11 is required to be capable of being expanded and contracted by elastic deformation and to have high insulation strength. The material of the dielectric elastomer layer 11 is not particularly limited, and preferable examples thereof include a silicon elastomer and an acrylic elastomer.

The electrode layer 12 is formed on the surface of the dielectric elastomer layer 11, and a voltage is applied by the power supply device 2. In the dielectric elastomer vibration element 1, the pair of electrode layers 12 is provided so as to sandwich the dielectric elastomer layer 11. The electrode layer 12 is made of a material having conductivity and capable of expanding and contracting with expansion and contraction of the dielectric elastomer layer 11. As such a material, a material in which a filler imparting conductivity is mixed into a stretchable main material is exemplified. Preferable examples of the filler include carbon nanotubes.

The support 13 supports the two dielectric elastomer layers 11A and 11B. In the present embodiment, support body 13 has two peripheral portions 133 and a plurality of columnar portions 131. The two peripheral portions 133 are members having, for example, a circular ring shape and are arranged apart from each other in the vertical direction in the drawing. The plurality of columnar portions 131 are members that connect the two peripheral portions 133 and each extend in the up-down direction in the drawing. In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral portions of the two dielectric elastomer layers 11A and 11B are fixed to the two peripheral portions 133 so as to be separated from each other. Further, the central portions of the two dielectric elastomer layers 11A, 11B are fixed to each other. By fixing such support 13, each of the two dielectric elastomer layers 11A and 11B is extended in a truncated cone shape, and a tensile force is generated in the vertical direction by the extension.

The power supply device 2 is a device that generates an oscillation signal voltage, and for example, receives an audio signal from the sound source 8 and generates an oscillation signal voltage to be supplied to the dielectric elastomer oscillation element 1 based on the audio signal. In the present embodiment, the power supply device 2 includes an input unit 20, a waveform voltage generation unit 21, a high voltage generation unit 24, an inverting path unit 23, and two output units 29A and 29B.

The input unit 20 is a part to which an audio signal from the sound source 8 is input. The output units 29A and 29B are portions that output the vibration signal voltages Va and Vb to the dielectric elastomer vibration element 1. The output units 29A and 29B may have a boosting function.

The waveform voltage generator 21 is composed of, for example, an amplifier circuit, and generates a waveform voltage V1 based on the audio signal from the sound source 8 received by the input unit 20. The waveform voltage V1 generated by the waveform voltage generation unit 21 is an ac waveform.

The high-voltage generation unit 24 generates a high-voltage HV 2. The high voltage HV2 is, for example, a dc voltage of a certain magnitude.

The inverting path portion 23 performs the following processing: a branching process of branching the waveform voltage V1 from the waveform voltage generating section 21 into two waveform voltages V1a, V1 b; in the inversion process, the two waveform voltages V1a and V1b are inverted positive and negative waveforms. Thus, the inverted shunt section 23 outputs two waveform voltages V1a, V1b having positive and negative inverted relations to each other.

Waveform voltages V1a and V1B from inverting path unit 23 and high-voltage HV2 from high-voltage generating unit 24 are input to two output units 29A and 29B, respectively. The output units 29A and 29B of the present embodiment include amplifier circuits. The amplifier circuit amplifies the waveform voltages V1a and V1b with the high voltage HV2 as a power supply voltage to generate vibration signal voltages Va and Vb. Output unit 29A outputs vibration signal voltage Va to pair of electrode layers 12A of dielectric elastomer vibration element 1, and output unit 29B outputs vibration signal voltage Vb to pair of electrode layers 12B of dielectric elastomer vibration element 1. As shown in fig. 6, the vibration signal voltages Va and Vb correspond to output voltages obtained by superimposing the bias voltage V2 on the waveform voltages V1a and V1b by this processing. In the following description, a voltage generation process including processing of the output units 29A and 29B having the amplifier circuits will be schematically described using the bias voltage V2. As a specific configuration example of superimposing the bias voltage V2 on the waveform voltages V1a and V1B, the output units 29A and 29B may be provided with, for example, transformers. Further, as a specific device configuration required for obtaining the output voltage by performing the superimposing process on the bias voltage V2, it is not necessary to have a configuration element including "bias voltage" in the name. For example, as in the present embodiment, the superimposition processing may be performed by providing the high-voltage generation unit 24 that generates the high-voltage HV2 and by using the bias voltage V2.

Fig. 4 shows a relationship between the potential difference generated in the pair of electrode layers 12 and the amount of deformation such as the length and area of the dielectric elastomer vibration element 1. As shown in fig. 4, the dielectric elastomer vibration element 1 has a high response region S1, a low response region S2 on the side of a small potential difference, and a low response region S3 on the side of a large potential difference, depending on the magnitude of the potential difference generated at the pair of electrode layers 12. The high response region S1 is a region in which the deformation amount changes greatly with respect to the potential difference. The low response region S2 on the small potential difference side is a region in which the potential difference is smaller than the high response region S1 and the deformation amount is small with respect to the change in the potential difference. The region where the deformation amount is small with respect to the change in the potential difference is a concept including a region where the deformation amount is 0 with respect to the change in the potential difference. In the example shown in fig. 4, the low response region S2 on the small potential difference side includes a no-response region S21. The non-response region S21 includes a place where the potential difference is 0, and the deformation amount with respect to the change in the potential difference is 0. In the illustrated example, a portion of the low response region S2 on the small potential difference side that is continuous on the large potential difference side with respect to the non-response region S21 is a region showing low response to a change in potential difference. The low response region S3 on the large potential difference side is a region where the potential difference is larger than the high response region S1, the amount of deformation is small with respect to the change in potential difference, or the breaking point of the electrical breakdown of the dielectric elastomer layer 11 caused by an excessively large potential difference is included.

Fig. 5 shows waveform voltages V1a and V1 b. As shown in fig. 5 (a), the waveform voltage V1a is an alternating current signal based on a sound signal, for example. As shown in fig. 5 (b), the waveform voltage V1b is an alternating current signal based on, for example, an audio signal, similar to the waveform voltage V1 a. The waveform voltage V1a and the waveform voltage V1b have a phase-inverted relationship, in other words, have a positive-negative inverted relationship. Fig. 6 shows the relationship between the potential difference generated by the vibration signal voltages Va and Vb and the high response region S1, the low response region S2 on the small potential difference side, and the low response region S3 on the large potential difference side. As shown in fig. 6 (a), the vibration signal voltage Va is a voltage obtained by synthesizing (superimposing) a waveform voltage V1a as an ac voltage and a bias voltage V2 as a dc voltage. As shown in fig. 6 b, the vibration signal voltage Vb is a voltage obtained by synthesizing (superimposing) a waveform voltage V1b as an ac voltage and a bias voltage V2 as a dc voltage. The vibration signal voltage Va and the vibration signal voltage Vb have a phase-reversed relationship with each other.

The waveform voltages V1a and V1b are waveforms formed based on the audio signal from the sound source 8. The magnitudes of V1a and V1b are set such that the voltage difference between the upper limit value and the lower limit value is smaller than the difference between the minimum value and the maximum value of the high response region S1. The bias voltage V2 is set to a value existing at least in the high response region S1. Preferably, the bias voltage V2 is set to have a magnitude in which the maximum value and the minimum value of the potential difference generated by the vibration signal voltages Va and Vb are present in the high response region S1. It is further preferable that the potential difference generated by the bias voltage V2 is set to the median value of the high response region S1. Such vibration signal voltages Va and Vb are applied to the dielectric elastomer vibration element 1. More specifically, a vibration signal voltage Va is applied to the pair of electrode layers 12A, and a vibration signal voltage Vb is applied to the pair of electrode layers 12B. Thus, in the dielectric elastomer vibration element 1, the dielectric elastomer layers 11A and 11B and the central portion 132 of the support body 13 function as a vibration plate such as a cone paper in a general speaker. When the waveform voltage V1 is 20 to 20KHz, for example, sound in an audible frequency band can be emitted from the dielectric elastomer vibration element 1.

Next, the operation of the dielectric elastomer vibration system a1 will be described.

According to the present embodiment, the potential difference between the pair of electrode layers 12 generated by the bias voltage V2 is included in the high response region S1. Therefore, the potential difference generated by the vibration signal voltages Va and Vb is highly likely to exist in the high response region S1, and is less likely to exist in the low response region S2 on the small potential difference side and the low response region S3 on the large potential difference side. For example, if the potential difference exists in the low response region S2 on the small potential difference side, the dielectric elastomer vibration element 1 is not substantially deformed with respect to the change in the potential difference as shown in fig. 4. Alternatively, when the potential difference exists in the low response region S2 and the high response region S1 on the small potential difference side, the deformation amount is in a nonlinear relationship with respect to the change in the potential difference. In this case, there is a concern about an abnormality such as sound distortion. In the present embodiment, since the potential difference exists in the high response region S1, a sufficiently large deformation amount can be obtained with respect to the change in the potential difference, and the relationship between the change in the potential difference and the deformation amount can be made more linear, and distortion of sound can be suppressed. Further, when the potential difference exists in the low response region S3 on the large potential difference side, there is a concern about a case of sound distortion, breakage of the dielectric elastic body vibration element 1, or the like, and such a case can be avoided according to the present embodiment. Therefore, according to the dielectric elastomer vibration element 1, sound can be emitted more appropriately.

In the present embodiment, the maximum value and the minimum value of the potential difference generated by the vibration signal voltages Va and Vb are included in the high response region S1. Therefore, it is preferable to prevent distortion of sound and breakage of the dielectric elastomer vibration element 1.

Unlike the present embodiment, when the potential difference generated by the bias voltage V2 is close to the lower limit or the upper limit of the high response region S1, if the potential difference generated by the vibration signal voltages Va and Vb is included in the high response region S1, the amplitudes of the forced waveform voltages V1a and V1b are set to be relatively small. In so doing, the dynamic range of the sound emitted from the dielectric elastomer vibration system a1 becomes narrow. In the present embodiment, the potential difference generated by the bias voltage V2 is set to the median value of the high response region S1. Accordingly, the amplitude of the waveform voltages V1a and V1b can be set sufficiently large, and the potential difference generated by the vibration signal voltages Va and Vb can be included in the high response region S1. Therefore, the dynamic range of the sound emitted from the dielectric elastomer vibration system a1 can be increased.

In the case where all of the potential differences generated by the oscillation signal voltages Va and Vb are included in the high response region S1 as in the present embodiment, the potential difference necessary for generating the same amplitude in the dielectric elastomer layer 11 is smaller than in the case where a part of the potential difference is present in the low response region S2 on the small potential difference side unlike in the present embodiment. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, unnecessary charge injection and discharge can be avoided, and electric energy required for generating the same sound can be suppressed, which is preferable for power saving and high efficiency. Further, according to the present embodiment, since the relationship between the potential difference and the amount of deformation is linear, it is possible to avoid a delay in the occurrence of deformation with respect to a change in the potential difference, and the like, and to improve the time responsiveness of the dielectric elastomer vibration element 1.

Fig. 7 to 14 show other embodiments of the present disclosure. In the drawings, the same or similar elements as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the above-described embodiment.

< second embodiment >

Fig. 7 shows a power supply device and a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. In the dielectric elastomer vibration system a2 of the present embodiment, the inverting path portion 23 of the power supply device 2 is constituted by a push-pull output transformer. In the inverting branch portion 23, one primary coil is provided on the input side, and two secondary coils are provided on the output side. The winding directions of the two secondary coils on the output side are opposite to each other. With such a configuration, when the waveform voltage V1 as an alternating voltage is input on the input side, the positive and negative inverted waveform voltages V1a and V1b are generated at the two secondary coils on the output side.

The output units 29A and 29B have, for example, semiconductor transistors, and boost (amplify) the waveform voltages V1a and V1B. Further, high-voltage HV2 from high-voltage generator 24 is input to output units 29A and 29B. The output units 29A and 29B synthesize (superimpose) the high-voltage HV2 as the bias voltage and the waveform voltages V1a and V1B after boosting (amplification), respectively. Then, the output units 29A and 29B apply the vibration signal voltages Va and Vb to the pair of electrodes 12A and 12B, respectively.

The dielectric elastomer vibration system a2 can also emit sound more appropriately. Further, by using a push-pull output transformer as the inverting shunt section 23, it is not necessary to use a semiconductor device for phase inversion. This is preferable for reducing the system cost. In particular, since the higher the processing voltage, the more the cost of the semiconductor device for performing phase inversion may increase, the dielectric elastomer vibration system a2 is suitable for increasing the processing voltage and suppressing the cost. Further, the use of the push-pull output transformer can reduce the number of components constituting the power supply device 2, and can increase the mean-time-to-failure and improve the quality.

< third embodiment >

Fig. 8 shows a power supply device and a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. In the dielectric elastomer vibration system a3 of the present embodiment, the power supply device 2 includes the voltage boosting units 25A and 25B. The inverted and branched waveform voltages V1a, V1B are input to the voltage boosting units 25A, 25B using, for example, semiconductor transistors in the inverting branch unit 23. High-voltage HV1 from high-voltage generator 201 is input to voltage boosting units 25A and 25B. The boosting units 25A and 25B output waveform voltages V1a and V1B boosted (amplified) by using, for example, semiconductor transistors. The waveform voltages V1a and V1B and the bias voltage V2 from the bias voltage generator 22 are input to the output units 29A and 29B, and they are combined (superimposing process) using a transformer. The dielectric elastomer vibration system a3 can also emit sound more appropriately.

< fourth embodiment >

Fig. 9 shows a power supply device and a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. In the dielectric elastomer vibration system a4 of the present embodiment, the voltage boosting portions 25A and 25B include transformers. That is, the waveform voltages V1a, V1B inverted and shunted by the inverting shunt section 23 using, for example, semiconductor transistors are input to the voltage boosting sections 25A, 25B. The boosting units 25A and 25B boost (amplify) and output the waveform voltages V1a and V1B using transformers. The output units 29A and 29B include, for example, semiconductor transistors. The output units 29A and 29B synthesize (superimpose) the high-voltage HV2 from the high-voltage generator 24 as a bias voltage with the waveform voltages V1a and V1B, respectively, and output the vibration signal voltages Va and Vb. The dielectric elastomer vibration system a4 can also emit sound more appropriately.

< fifth embodiment >

Fig. 10 shows a power supply device and a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. In the dielectric elastomer vibration system a5 of the present embodiment, the inverting path portion 23 has a push-pull output transformer. The inverted shunt unit 23 receives the waveform voltage V1 and the bias voltage V2 set to a low voltage from the bias voltage generator 22. The inverting and branching unit 23 inverts and branches the waveform voltage V1 and synthesizes the offset voltage V2 (superimposing process), thereby generating the waveform voltages V2a and V2b as shown in fig. 11. The output units 29A and 29B boost (amplify) the waveform voltages V2a and V2B using, for example, semiconductor transistors of the high-voltage HV2 input from the high-voltage generation unit 24, and output the vibration signal voltages Va and Vb. The dielectric elastomer vibration system a5 can also emit sound more appropriately. For example, when the step-up ratio of the semiconductor transistor used in the output units 29A and 29B is 100 times, the bias voltage V2 is set to 1/100 which is the target final bias voltage.

< sixth embodiment >

Fig. 12 shows a power supply device and a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. In the dielectric elastomer vibration system a6 of the present embodiment, the number of turns of the two secondary coils on the output side of the inverting path portion 23 is set to be larger than the number of turns of the primary coil on the input side. With this configuration, the voltage generated by the two secondary coils on the output side can be increased according to the turn ratio of the primary coil and the secondary coil with respect to the waveform voltage V1 input to inverting path section 23. As a result, the voltage output from the inverting path portion 23 is synthesized (superimposed) by the bias voltage V2 set to a high voltage and the waveform voltages V1a, V1b boosted (boosted or amplified) in accordance with the number of turns. That is, in the present embodiment, the inverting path portion 23 can perform inverting path, applying bias, and boosting (amplifying) and output the oscillation signal voltages Va and Vb. Thus, in the present embodiment, the output units 29A and 29B having the boosting function in the above example are not required. Therefore, the number of components constituting the device configuration of the power supply device 2 can be further reduced, and the mean-fault interval can be further lengthened, thereby further improving the quality. The dielectric elastomer vibration system a6 can also emit sound more appropriately.

< seventh embodiment >

Fig. 13 shows a power supply device and a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure. In the dielectric elastomer vibration system a7 of the present embodiment, the output units 29A and 29B each include a transformer. Waveform voltages V1a, V1B inverted and branched by an inverting and branching section 23 having, for example, a semiconductor transistor are input to the output sections 29A, 29B. The output units 29A and 29B have transformers, and perform synthesis (superposition operation) of the boosting (amplification) of the waveform voltages V1a and V1B and the bias voltage V2 set to a high voltage from the bias voltage generating unit 22. The dielectric elastomer vibration system a7 can also emit sound more appropriately.

< eighth embodiment >

Fig. 14 shows a power supply device and a dielectric elastomer vibration system according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure. In the dielectric elastomer vibration system A8 of the present embodiment, the inverting path portion 23 includes a push-pull output transformer, and inverts, branches, and boosts (amplifies) the waveform voltage V1 to output the waveform voltages V1a and V1 b. The waveform voltages V1a, V1B and the bias voltage V2 set to a high voltage are input to the output units 29A, 29B, and these voltages are synthesized (superimposed) to output the vibration signal voltages Va, Vb. The dielectric elastomer vibration system A8 can also emit sound more appropriately.

The dielectric elastomer vibration system and the power supply device of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments. The specific structure of each part of the dielectric elastomer vibration system and the power supply device of the present disclosure can be freely subjected to various design changes.

[ Note 1]

A dielectric elastomer vibration system, comprising:

a dielectric elastomer vibration element having a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer; and

a power supply device for generating a potential difference between the pair of electrode layers,

the dielectric elastomer vibration element has:

a high response region in which a relationship between a potential difference and a deformation amount of the pair of electrode layers is such that a change in the deformation amount with respect to the potential difference is large;

a low-response region on the small potential difference side, which is a region having a potential difference smaller than that of the high-response region, and in which a change in deformation amount with respect to the potential difference is small; and

a low-response region on the side of a large potential difference, which is a region having a potential difference larger than that of a high-response region, has a small change in deformation amount with respect to the potential difference or includes a breaking point of the dielectric elastomer layer,

the power supply device generates the potential difference by applying a vibration signal voltage composed of a waveform voltage as an alternating-current voltage and a bias voltage as a direct-current voltage that generates the potential difference in the high-response region to the pair of electrode layers.

[ Note 2]

The dielectric elastomer vibration system according to note 1, wherein,

the maximum value and the minimum value of the potential difference generated by the vibration signal voltage exist in the high response region.

[ Note 3]

The dielectric elastomer vibration system according to note 1 or 2, wherein,

the potential difference generated by the bias voltage is a median value of the high response region.

[ Note 4]

The dielectric elastomer vibration system according to any one of notes 1 to 3, wherein,

the power supply device has a transformer having a boosting function.

[ Note 5]

The dielectric elastomer vibration system according to note 4, having:

two of the dielectric elastomer vibration elements, the dielectric elastomer layer of each other being fixed in an extended state,

the transformer of the power supply device has one primary coil and two secondary coils wound in opposite directions to each other, generates two waveform voltages whose phases are inverted from each other from one of the waveform voltages,

the power supply device applies two vibration signal voltages whose phases are inverted to each other to the pair of electrode layers of the two dielectric elastomer vibration elements, respectively.

[ Note 6]

The dielectric elastomer vibration system according to note 5, wherein,

the bias voltage is input to a connection point of the two secondary coils of the transformer.

[ Note 7]

The dielectric elastomer vibration system according to any one of notes 1 to 3, having:

two of the dielectric elastomer vibration elements, the dielectric elastomer layer of each other being fixed in an extended state,

the power supply device applies two vibration signal voltages whose phases are inverted to each other to the pair of electrode layers of the two dielectric elastomer vibration elements, respectively.

[ Note 8]

The dielectric elastomer vibration system according to note 7, wherein,

the power supply device has a transformer that applies the bias voltage.

[ Note 9]

The dielectric elastomer vibration system according to note 8, wherein,

the transformer also performs boosting of the waveform voltage.

[ remarks 10]

The dielectric elastomer vibration system according to note 9, wherein,

the transformer also performs phase inversion of the waveform voltage.

[ Note 11]

The dielectric elastomer vibration system according to note 7, wherein,

the power supply device includes a transformer for performing phase inversion of the waveform voltage.

[ Note 12]

The dielectric elastomer vibration system according to note 11, wherein,

the transformer also performs boosting of the waveform voltage.

[ remarks 13]

A power supply device for generating a potential difference between a pair of electrode layers of a dielectric elastomer vibration element having a dielectric elastomer layer and the pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer,

the dielectric elastomer vibration element has:

a high response region in which a relationship between a potential difference and a deformation amount of the pair of electrode layers is such that a change in the deformation amount with respect to the potential difference is large;

a low-response region on the small potential difference side, which is a region having a potential difference smaller than that of the high-response region, and in which a change in deformation amount with respect to the potential difference is small; and

a low-response region on the large potential difference side, which is a region having a potential difference larger than that of the high-response region, and in which the deformation amount is small with respect to the change in the potential difference or includes a breaking point of the dielectric elastomer layer,

the potential difference is generated by applying a vibration signal voltage composed of a waveform voltage of an alternating voltage and a bias voltage as a direct voltage that generates a potential difference in the high response region to the pair of electrode layers to generate the potential difference.

[ remarks 14]

The power supply device according to note 13, wherein,

the power supply device has a transformer having a boosting function.

[ remarks 15]

The power supply device according to note 14, wherein,

the transformer of the power supply device has one primary coil and two secondary coils wound in opposite directions to each other, generates two waveform voltages whose phases are inverted from each other from one of the waveform voltages,

the power supply device outputs two vibration signal voltages whose phases are inverted to each other to the two dielectric elastomer vibration elements, and the dielectric elastomer layers of the two dielectric elastomer vibration elements output each other are fixed in an extended state.

[ remarks 16]

The power supply device according to note 15, wherein,

the bias voltage is input to a connection point of the two secondary coils of the transformer.

[ Note 17]

The power supply device according to note 13, wherein,

the two vibration signal voltages whose phases are inverted from each other are applied to the pair of electrode layers of the two dielectric elastomer vibration elements, respectively, and the dielectric elastomer layers of the two dielectric elastomer vibration elements are fixed in an extended state.

[ remarks 18]

The power supply device according to note 17, comprising:

a transformer for applying the bias voltage.

[ Note 19]

The power supply device according to note 18, wherein,

the transformer also performs boosting of the waveform voltage.

[ remarks 20]

The power supply device according to note 19, wherein the transformer further performs phase inversion of the waveform voltage.

[ remarks 21]

The power supply device according to note 17, comprising:

and a transformer for performing phase inversion of the waveform voltage.

[ remarks 22]

The power supply device according to note 21, wherein the transformer further performs boosting of the waveform voltage.