Abstract: To meet the need of future electromechanical system for novel actuator, a diamond dielectric elastomer linear actuator is studied. Based on the working principle analysis of actuator, preload parts are determined through the analysis of the relation between its force-displacement curves and preload. Actuator can respond quickly after power-on, and linear displacement attains 21 mm while area change percentage of elastomer reaches 98%. After power-off, actuator can retract quickly and return to its initial position ultimately. The influences of voltage and load on actuator are analyzed through experiments, which show that the displacement of actuator depends on the applied voltage, and the load within the output force range of actuator has little influence on the output displacement but will influence its velocity. The application of actuator is given according to its characteristics.

Key words: Dielectric elastomer, Displacement, Linear actuator, Preload