Auxetic Beam Reinforcement for Fluidic Actuator Shape Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluidic actuator systems lack enhanced functionality and design degrees of freedom, particularly in continuum environments and applications requiring precise control over diameter and length, as well as shape changes for anchoring and grasping, which limits their effectiveness in robotics and other tasks.
Innovation Solution
The integration of auxetic beam reinforcements with fluidic actuators, combining auxetic and non-auxetic elements in a binding network that responds to pressure differentials to produce unique shapes and motions, allowing for increased design flexibility and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional reinforcement methods (fibers, braided sleeves, thicker materials) are used, then basic structural support is provided, but control over diameter and length and complex shape changes are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines auxetic material with traditional reinforcement materials to create a composite reinforcement system. The auxetic material's unique property of expanding laterally when stretched allows for independent control of diameter and length changes, enabling complex shape transformations while maintaining structural support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxetic reinforcement is applied selectively to specific regions of the fluidic actuator where complex shape changes are needed. This localized application provides enhanced adaptability in critical areas while keeping other regions simpler, thus improving overall versatility without uniformly increasing system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If auxetic beam reinforcements are integrated with fluidic actuators, then complex shapes and motions are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxetic beam reinforcements are integrated directly into the fluidic actuator structure, merging the reinforcement function with the actuator body. This combination eliminates the need for separate reinforcement components and simplifies the overall system architecture while enabling complex shape and motion control.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxetic material's Poisson's ratio parameter is utilized to achieve unconventional shape changes. When the fluidic actuator inflates or deflates, the auxetic beams transform the pressure-induced volume changes into controlled shape transformations, providing enhanced motion control without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reinforced soft actuators are used, then sophisticated motions and loading are enabled, but design degrees of freedom are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The auxetic reinforcement system is designed to be dynamically responsive to pressure changes. As the fluidic actuator operates through different pressure states, the auxetic beams dynamically adjust the actuator's shape and stiffness, enabling a wider range of motions and loading conditions while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxetic material introduces an additional dimension of control by decoupling radial and axial deformations. Traditional reinforcements primarily constrain radial expansion, but the auxetic beams enable independent control of radial and axial dimensions, significantly increasing design degrees of freedom for complex three-dimensional motions.
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 fluidic actuators to achieve complex shapes and motions, enhancing their applicability in robotics, haptics, medical devices, and other applications by providing improved control over shape and size changes in response to pressure, enabling tasks that were previously challenging or impossible.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of auxetic elements, and in some embodiments one or more non-auxetic elements, arranged in a binding network about at least a portion of the fluidic body member
Implementation Method 2
deformable in response to a pressure differential existing between an internal pressure within an internal volume and an external pressure outside of the fluidic body member
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator system is provided having a fluidic body member having a surface configured to be deformable in response to a pressure differential. One or more auxetic elements are disposed on and engage the surface of the fluidic body member in the form of a network of beam elements. The auxetic element has a negative Poisson's ratio resulting in kinematics such that upon application of the internal fluid pressure, the surface of the fluidic body member is caused to have specific kinematics enabling planar and 3D motions. In some embodiments, the plurality of non-auxetic elements cooperate with a plurality of auxetic elements.