Artificial Muscle Reinforcing Thread Prevents Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current artificial muscles suffer from limited force exertion and risk of permanent deformation due to overinflation, which restricts their application in robotic technologies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reinforcing thread within the expandable fluid region of the artificial muscle and using a hybrid actuation device that combines a shape memory alloy wire with an artificial muscle, where the reinforcing thread restricts expansion and prevents permanent deformation, allowing for controlled actuation and increased force output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the artificial muscle expands to exert force, then the force output increases, but permanent deformation occurs due to overinflation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible housing with controlled expansion capabilities. The housing is designed with specific structural features that allow it to expand in a controlled manner without undergoing permanent deformation, even when subjected to repeated actuation cycles. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the artificial muscle to exert force through controlled expansion while maintaining structural integrity and reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the artificial muscle is made softer to improve versatility, then adaptability increases, but force exertion capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures in the housing, combining materials with different mechanical properties. This allows the artificial muscle to achieve both softness for adaptability and sufficient strength for force exertion. The composite structure enables the housing to be compliant and versatile while maintaining the capability to exert adequate force for robotic applications.
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
The solution enhances the force exertion and durability of artificial muscles by preventing overinflation and maintaining actuation without permanent deformation, thereby improving the performance of robotic applications.
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 directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region
Implementation Method 2
a shape memory alloy wire coupled to the first plate; actuating a shape memory alloy wire that is coupled to a first plate of a plate pair further including a second plate, thereby drawing the first plate and the second plate together
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid actuation device including an artificial muscle is disclosed. The artificial muscle includes a housing including a first reinforcing thread extending across an expandable fluid region of the housing, an electrode pair positioned in an electrode region of the housing, and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode positioned adjacent a first surface of the housing and a second electrode positioned adjacent a second surface of the housing. 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 directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region. The first reinforcing thread restricts expansion of the expandable fluid region when the electrode pair is in the actuated state.