Reinforced Artificial Muscle Assembly for Stable Repeated Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current soft electronic devices, such as artificial muscles, face limitations due to permanent deformation and decreased performance over time, especially when using fluidic actuators or thermally activated polymer fibers, which affect their efficiency and reliability in robotic applications.
Innovation Solution
The design of an artificial muscle assembly with a housing comprising a first and second film layer, each with an inner and outer protective layer, and a reinforcing layer, along with an electrode pair and dielectric fluid, where the reinforcing layer has a higher elasticity than the protective layers, preventing permanent deformation by controlled expansion and contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If soft electronic devices use fluidic actuators or thermally activated polymer fibers for repeated use, then actuation performance is achieved, but permanent deformation occurs and performance decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the housing by incorporating a reinforcing layer with higher elasticity modulus than the protective layers. This structural parameter change allows the housing to withstand repeated expansion and contraction cycles without permanent deformation, thereby improving durability while maintaining performance consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of multiple layers with different elasticities: inner protective layer, reinforcing layer, and outer protective layer. This composite material approach combines the flexibility needed for actuation with the strength required to prevent permanent deformation, resolving the contradiction between durability and performance consistency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a reinforcing layer with higher elasticity is added between protective layers, then permanent deformation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film layers with different elasticities to achieve structural stability. The reinforcing layer is integrated as a thin film between the protective layers, providing enhanced mechanical stability without significantly increasing the overall device complexity or volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer composite structure is designed with each layer serving a specific function: protection, reinforcement, and flexibility. This functional differentiation within the composite structure achieves structural stability while maintaining a relatively simple overall design that can be manufactured using standard lamination techniques.
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 enhances the durability and performance of artificial muscles by maintaining initial performance standards over repeated use, providing focused inflation and efficient actuation without permanent deformation, thus improving the reliability of soft robotic devices.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing and between the first film layer and the second film layer; and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing
Implementation Method 2
a reinforcing layer provided between the inner protective layer and the outer protective layer, the reinforcing layer having a third elasticity greater than the first elasticity of the inner protective layer and the second elasticity of the outer protective layer
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial muscle includes a housing including an electrode region, an expandable fluid region, a first film layer, and a second film layer. The first film layer and the second film layer each include an inner protective layer having a first elasticity, an outer protective layer having a second elasticity, and a reinforcing layer provided between the inner protective layer and the outer protective layer, the reinforcing layer having a third elasticity greater than the first elasticity of the inner protective layer and the second elasticity of the outer protective layer. The artificial muscle further includes an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing and between the first film layer and the second film layer, and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing.