Dielectric elastomer vibration system and power supply device

A dielectric elastomer vibration system, comprising:

• a dielectric elastomer vibrator that includes a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer;
• and
• a power supply device that produces a potential difference across the pair of electrode layers,
• wherein the dielectric elastomer vibrator exhibits a relationship between the potential difference across the pair of electrode layers and an amount of deformation induced by the potential difference, the relationship having:
• a high-response region in which a relatively large deformation is induced in response to change of the potential difference;
• a low-response region of lower-potential difference corresponding to a lower potential difference than the high-response region and in which a relatively small deformation is induced in response to change of the potential difference;
• and a low-response region of higher-potential difference corresponding to a higher potential difference than the high-response region and in which a relatively small deformation is induced in response to change of the potential difference or in which a break point of the dielectric elastomer layer is included, and
• the power supply device produces the potential difference by applying a vibration signal voltage across the pair of electrode layers, the vibration signal voltage being generated by combining an alternating waveform voltage with a direct current bias voltage corresponding to a potential difference falling in the high-response region, and
• the potential difference produced by the vibration signal voltage has a maximum value and a minimum value both falling within the high-response region.