Fluid-driven fabric

Abstract

A fluid-driven fabric 10 for use in soft robotics, wearable technology, human-machine interfaces, and / or haptic technology is disclosed. The fluid-driven fabric 10 comprises a first layer 21 and a second layer 22 being affixed to the first layer 21 and thereby forming a fluid network 40. The fluid network 40 comprises a fluid source 50 holding a displaceable fluid 60, a plurality of chambers C1, ..., Cn, and interconnecting fluid channels L1, ..., Ln for transportation of the displaceable fluid 60. The chambers C1, ..., Cn have at least at least an initial inner pressure p0,1, ..., p0,n, a first threshold inner pressure p1,1, ..., p1,n, and a maximum inner pressure pmax,1, ..., pmax,n. The channels have a fluid resistance R1, ..., Rn defined in an upstream direction. A first fluid Ri resistance of a first channel Li fluidly interconnecting a first one Ci of the chambers C1, ..., Cn and a second one Ci+1 of the chambers C1, ..., Cn, the second chamber Ci+1 being upstream of the first chamber Ci, is so determined such that flow of the displaceable fluid 60 from the first chamber Ci to the second chamber Ci+1 is prevented if an inner pressure pi,i of the first chamber Ci is less than the first threshold inner pressure pi,i of the first chamber C;.

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