Artificial Muscle Closing Aid for Higher Power Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current artificial muscles in soft robotics face limitations due to low actuator power per unit volume, with fluidic actuators requiring pressurized gas or liquid and thermally activated polymer fibers being difficult to control and operate inefficiently.

Innovation Solution

An artificial muscle design featuring a housing with an electrode pair and an expandable fluid region, where the electrode pair includes tab portions and a bridge portion, and a closing aid applies force to actuate the electrodes, allowing for zippering motion and increased force per unit volume by attracting the electrodes to direct dielectric fluid into the expandable region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If fluidic actuators are used, then the artificial muscle can achieve actuation, but the device requires pressurized gas or liquid supply systems with channels and tubes which limit speed and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator power per unit volumeVSAvoidfluid transport system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex fluid transport system (channels and tubes) from the actuator design. Instead of using fluidic actuators that require external pressurized gas or liquid supply, the invention integrates the actuation mechanism directly within the artificial muscle structure, eliminating the need for separate fluid delivery infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dielectric fluid as an intermediary medium that enables actuation without requiring complex transport systems. The dielectric fluid responds directly to electric fields applied between electrodes, providing a simpler pathway from energy input to mechanical output compared to traditional pressurized fluid systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If thermally activated polymer fibers are used, then the artificial muscle can achieve actuation, but the device is difficult to control and operates at low efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator power per unit volumeVSAvoidcontrol difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermally activated polymer fibers with an electrostatic actuation system consisting of electrodes and dielectric fluid. This substitution changes the actuation mechanism from thermal to electrical, enabling precise control through voltage application while significantly improving operational efficiency and power density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Power

If traditional artificial muscle designs are used, then the device can provide actuation, but the mass and thickness reduce the actuator power per unit volume

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator power per unit volumeVSAvoidartificial muscle mass

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin-film electrodes and a flexible housing structure that minimizes mass while maintaining structural integrity. The artificial muscle uses thin dielectric layers and flexible circuit boards, reducing overall thickness and weight, thereby increasing power density without sacrificing actuation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 design enhances actuation power by reducing the overall mass and thickness of the artificial muscle, decreasing the voltage required for actuation, and increasing the displacement of the expandable fluid region while maintaining force, thus improving the efficiency and control of artificial muscle actuators.

Implementation Method 1

the electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state results in attraction of the first electrode and the second electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

a first closing aid provided exteriorly of the housing opposite the electrode pair and applying a force in a direction toward the electrode region of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

actuation of the electrode pair directs a dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric fluid displacement: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS12199528B2Artificial muscles including closing aid, artificial muscle assemblies, and methods of using same

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

An artificial muscle including a housing, an electrode pair positioned in an electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode each including a pair of tab portions and a bridge portion interconnecting the pair of tab portions, and a first closing aid provided exteriorly of the housing opposite the electrode pair and applying a force in a direction toward the electrode region of the housing, wherein the electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state results in attraction of the first electrode and the second electrode.