High Speed Actuator Active Stiffness Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current actuators based on smart materials face limitations in achieving high speeds due to the lack of effective methods for controlling their speed, primarily because there is no established method for controlling the stiffness of these actuators.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed actuator is designed with an active stiffness controller that includes smart materials and base materials, allowing for real-time stiffness control through the use of polymer resins with different stiffnesses, and a method for driving the actuator that determines actuation speed and stiffness based on external signals to adjust the stiffness controller accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional actuators based on smart materials are used, then the actuator can perform bending or twisting operations, but the speed of the actuator cannot be controlled effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the stiffness of the actuator adjustable and controllable in real-time. The stiffness controller modifies the mechanical properties of the actuator dynamically, allowing the same actuator structure to operate at different speeds by changing its stiffness characteristic, thus enabling speed control without modifying the actuator's physical structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stiffness parameter of the actuator to control its operating speed. By adjusting the stiffness parameter through the stiffness controller, the actuator can operate in different speed regimes, transforming a static parameter into a dynamic control variable that directly influences actuator performance
2Speed
If the actuator structure is designed for high speed operation, then the speed increases, but the stiffness control capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffness controller serves multiple functions: it controls the stiffness of the actuator, enables speed regulation, and maintains operational reliability across different speed regimes. This single component performs what would otherwise require separate mechanisms, making the system more versatile and reliable
3Shape
If smart materials are used to achieve bending or twisting operations, then the actuator can deform effectively, but there is no method to control the stiffness of the actuator
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffness controller acts as an intermediary component between the control system and the smart material actuator. It mediates the interaction by providing a controlled stiffness interface that allows the smart material to deform effectively while the controller regulates the overall stiffness, avoiding the need for complex integrated stiffness control mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the actuator to operate at high speeds by dynamically controlling its stiffness, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing actuators and allowing for precise speed control.
Implementation Method 1
The stiffness controller may include a first polymer resin having a first stiffness and a second polymer resin having a second stiffness
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a high speed actuator. The high speed actuator includes an actuation part configured to cause deformation such as bending or twisting and an active stiffness controller on a surface of the actuation part or in the actuation part configured to control in real time a stiffness (e.g., of the actuator) according to an external signal. The active stiffness controller may control a stiffness of the high speed actuator in order for the actuator to be actuated at a high speed. Moreover, since the stiffness of the actuator is controlled in real time, a speed of the actuator may be controlled in real time.