Hook and Loop Artificial Muscle Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial muscle actuators lack a cost-effective and simple method for creating separable fasteners that can be easily controlled to engage and disengage, limiting their application in various engineering designs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving securing artificial muscle fibers to a substrate, annealing them to retain loop shapes, and transforming these loops into hooks that can engage and disengage from holders upon actuation, using thermal energy or other power sources to control the actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If artificial muscle actuators are used in conventional forms, then they provide basic actuation functionality, but they lack separable fastener capability and require complex additional mechanisms for engagement and disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial muscle fiber is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the actuator and the fastener. By forming loops and hooks directly from the muscle fiber itself, the system eliminates the need for separate fastening mechanisms, achieving multi-functionality and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the actuator and fastener into a single integrated component. The muscle fiber is continuously formed into loops and hooks, combining the actuation function with the fastening function, thereby eliminating the need for additional separate mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If separable fastener mechanisms are added to artificial muscle actuators, then engagement and disengagement control is improved, but production costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial muscle fiber performs the fastening and unfastening actions through its own actuation. When the muscle contracts, the hooks automatically engage with the loops; when it relaxes, they disengage. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate control systems and reduces manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The muscle fiber is segmented into functional zones: a fixed anchor point, flexible loops for engagement, and hooks for interlocking. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and ease of manufacture
3Adaptability or versatility
If loops are formed and then transformed into hooks through cutting and removing portions, then separable fastener functionality is achieved, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loops are formed first as temporary structures during manufacturing, then transformed into hooks through controlled cutting and removal. This preliminary formation of loops simplifies the manufacturing process by providing a clear intermediate stage that can be easily converted into the final hook structure
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 approach enables the creation of low-cost, easily controllable separable artificial muscle fasteners that can efficiently fasten and unfasten, reducing production costs and simplifying engineering designs.
Implementation Method 1
annealing the artificial muscle fiber to retain the one or more muscle loops
Implementation Method 2
using thermal energy or other power sources to control the actuation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a separable artificial muscle fastener includes: securing one or more muscle loops of an artificial muscle fiber to a substrate such that at least a portion of the one or more muscle loops extends out from the substrate; annealing the artificial muscle fiber to retain the one or more muscle loops; and cutting and removing a portion of the one or more muscle loops to transform the one or more muscle loops into one or more muscle hooks. When the one or more muscle hooks are engaged with one or more holders, actuating the one or more muscle hooks disengages the one or more muscle hooks from the one or more holders.