Five-DOF Polymer Actuator Based on Dielectric Elastomer

In this paper, we present a five-DOF actuator based on dielectric elastomer. The actuator is designed for generating five DOFs motions to drive a micro camera steering module and provides all the functions for controlling CCD array such as focusing, pan and tilting. Basic modeling of the actuator is performed, and simulation works and experimental verifications are conducted, too. The camera steering module includes most parts necessary for driving the actuator such as a micro-controller and DC-DC converter, etc. It can be operated with a personal computer using only communication lines without external power supply. A prototype is developed and its performance is experimentally proved. $\textbullet$ artificial muscle, EAP, actuator.