Biomimetic Artificial Muscle Module With Locking and Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artificial muscles and biomimetic robots lack the ability to accurately mimic biological muscle-tendon contraction mechanisms, such as isometric, isotonic, and elastic contractions, due to low energy efficiency and limited movement capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A biomimetic artificial muscle module with an operating part, elastic part, driving part, locking part, and sensors that mimic the structure and function of a muscle-tendon unit, allowing for precise control and efficient energy use by selectively contracting or relaxing along a longitudinal direction, and incorporating various materials and mechanisms for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotational operator is used to mimic joint operation, then the joint movement is achieved, but the output is relatively low and energy efficiency is relatively low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional rotational operator with a linear operator that directly mimics the biological muscle-tendon contraction mechanism. This substitution transforms the mechanical system from rotational to linear actuation, enabling direct linear motion output that better replicates natural muscle behavior and improves energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from rotational motion to linear contraction. By altering the motion type and applying muscle-tendon contraction principles (isometric, isotonic, elastic contraction), the system achieves improved output and energy efficiency while maintaining joint movement capability.
2Ease of operation
If conventional linear operator is used, then linear motion is achieved, but biological muscle-tendon contraction mechanism is not applied and thus biological characteristics are not performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies the biological muscle-tendon contraction mechanism to create an artificial system that replicates natural muscle behavior. By implementing isometric, isotonic, and elastic contraction modes, the linear operator accurately reproduces the characteristics of biological muscle-tendon units, enabling versatile application in biomimetic robots.
3Adaptability or versatility
If biological muscle-tendon contraction mechanism is applied, then biological characteristics such as isometric, isotonic and elastic contraction are performed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the artificial muscle system into distinct functional modules: the operating part that performs contraction, the elastic part that stores and releases energy, the driving part that provides actuation force, and the locking part that maintains position. This modular segmentation enables complex biological characteristics to be achieved through coordinated simple components, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal linear operator that can perform multiple muscle contraction modes (isometric, isotonic, elastic) through a single integrated structure. The operating part, elastic part, driving part, and locking part work together to achieve various contraction characteristics without requiring separate mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
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 biomimetic artificial muscle module effectively mimics biological muscle-tendon contractions with simplified control, reduced energy consumption, and modular design, enabling more precise simulation of human or animal muscle-tendon unit characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic part (200), connected to a first end of the operating part (300), which behaves elastically according to an external force
Data Source
AI summary
In a biomimetic artificial muscle module, a biomimetic artificial muscle assembly having the biomimetic artificial muscle module, and a method of controlling the biomimetic artificial muscle module, the biomimetic artificial muscle module includes an operating part, an elastic part, a driving part, a locking part and first and second sensors. The operating part contracts or relaxes along a longitudinal direction. The elastic part is connected to a first end of the operating part, and behaves elastically behave according to an external force. The driving part is connected to a second end of the operating part, and drives the operating part to be contracted or relaxed. The locking part selectively blocks a length of the operating part from being changed. The first and second sensors respectively sense the elastic part and the operating part.