Bionic Muscle Electromagnetic Actuator Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current approaches to replicating skeletal muscle function are bulky, power-intensive, limited to straight-line force application, require complex control systems, and are susceptible to environmental degradation, making them unsuitable for surgical implantation or use in dangerous environments.
Innovation Solution
A kinetic device comprising multiple electromagnetic devices with contact-initiated electromagnets, where each device has one end of the coil connected to the power circuit and the other to the magnetic core, allowing for flexible, parallel, and series connections to mimic muscle fibers, with biocompatible encasing and non-conductive ferromagnetic fluid for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If hydraulic/pneumatic ram-like devices or electric motors with gears/pulleys are used to replace muscle mass, then force can be provided between two anchor points, but the devices become bulky and require a sizeable power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the muscle replacement system into multiple discrete electromagnetic devices arranged in a chain, where each device contains an electromagnet, flexible connection shell, and iron core. This segmentation allows the system to provide force through multiple small units rather than requiring a single large motor, thereby reducing overall device volume while maintaining force capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple functions into the iron core, which serves both as a magnetic core for the electromagnet and as a structural connector between adjacent devices. This merging eliminates the need for separate structural components, reducing device volume and simplifying the power transmission path.
2Force
If current approaches are used to replicate skeletal muscle, then force can be applied, but complex control systems are required to sense and control the amount of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables each electromagnetic device to automatically sense and respond to mechanical stimuli through the flexible connection shell. When the shell is stretched or compressed, it directly influences the electrical contact between iron cores, which automatically adjusts the electromagnetic activation without requiring external sensors or complex control systems. The system serves itself by converting mechanical deformation into electrical control signals.
3Force
If hydraulic/pneumatic devices are used, then force can be provided, but they are subject to environmental factors that will eventually impede and degrade their performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses flexible connection shells made of elastomeric material to connect adjacent electromagnetic devices. These shells are hermetically sealed, protecting the internal electromagnetic components from environmental factors such as moisture, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. The flexible nature of the shells allows for mechanical deformation while maintaining the integrity of the sealed environment, thereby improving reliability in harsh conditions.
4Force
If current approaches are used to replicate skeletal muscle, then force can be applied between two anchor points, but they are only capable of providing force along a straight line
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic chain structure where adjacent electromagnetic devices can move relative to each other through the flexible connection shells. The iron cores can rotate and pivot within their respective devices, allowing the chain to bend and adapt to curved paths. This dynamic configuration enables force to be transmitted along non-linear trajectories, providing versatility in movement direction while maintaining force application capability.
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 provides a compact, adaptable, and robust system capable of replicating muscle function with real-time feedback, suitable for various environments, including within the human body, with improved scalability, maintainability, and fault tolerance.
Implementation Method 1
a contact initiated electromagnet having an electrical coil in operable connection with the power circuit
Implementation Method 2
the magnetic core performs the dual purposes of (i) focusing the electromagnetic field created by the coil
Implementation Method 3
when the electromagnet of a first electromagnetic device is energized, the magnetic field created magnetically attracts the electromagnet of an adjacent second electromagnetic device
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8
AI summary
The present invention provides an electromagnetic device comprising: a power circuit, and a contact initiated electromagnet having an electrical coil in operable connection with the power circuit, wherein one end of the electrical coil is directly connected to the power circuit and the other is connected to the magnetic core of the electromagnet such that, in use, the magnetic core performs the dual purposes of (i) focusing the electromagnetic field created by the coil and (ii) forms part of the electrical circuit that energizes the magnetic core of the electromagnet. Multiple electromagnetic devices may be combined to form a kinetic device capable of creating an electrically-based movement device that mimics the form and function of the skeletal muscle through the use of multiple contact initiated electromagnets held within elastic tubes.