Electrostatic Artificial Muscle Assembly With Dielectric Fluid Zippering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current artificial muscles face limitations due to their weight-to-power ratio and efficiency, particularly in fluidic actuators which require pressurized gas or liquid and thermally activated polymer fibers that are difficult to control and operate at low efficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An artificial muscle design featuring a housing with an electrode pair and a dielectric fluid, where the electrode pair is actuatable between non-actuated and actuated states to direct the dielectric fluid into an expandable fluid region, utilizing a tab and bridge portion configuration to enhance force per unit volume through a zippering actuation motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fluidic actuators are used to mimic biological muscle, then versatility and performance are improved, but the system requires complex fluid transport channels and tubes which limit speed and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex fluid transport channels and tubes from the actuator system. By using a dielectric fluid that is already present within the housing and utilizing electrostatic forces to directly move the flexible membrane, the invention removes the need for separate fluid transport infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric fluid serves as an intermediary substance that enables both actuation and fluid transport functions. Rather than requiring separate channels for fluid transport, the dielectric fluid itself mediates the transfer of force and volume changes throughout the system, simplifying the overall architecture while preserving adaptability
2Device complexity
If thermally activated polymer fibers are used for actuation, then simplicity is improved, but control difficulty and low efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal activation with electrostatic actuation. By using an electrode pair to generate electrostatic forces that directly act on the flexible membrane, the system eliminates the need for thermal activation mechanisms while improving control precision and efficiency. The electrostatic field can be precisely controlled through voltage application, overcoming the control difficulties associated with thermal methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the actuation parameter from thermal (temperature) to electrical (voltage). This parameter change enables precise and rapid control of the flexible membrane's deformation. By controlling the voltage applied to the electrode pair, the system achieves efficient and controllable actuation without the delays and control issues inherent in thermal activation of polymer fibers
3Strength
If rigid components like servomotors are used in robotic systems, then structural strength is improved, but weight-to-power ratio worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane as the primary actuating component, replacing rigid servomotors and mechanical linkages. This flexible shell approach provides sufficient structural strength for the application while dramatically reducing weight. The membrane's ability to deform elastically under electrostatic force enables actuation without heavy rigid components, improving the weight-to-power ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical actuation systems (servomotors, gears, linkages) with an electrostatic field-based system. The electrode pair generates electrostatic forces that directly deform the flexible membrane, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical transmission components. This substitution maintains necessary structural strength while significantly reducing weight, thereby improving the weight-to-power ratio
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 design increases actuator power per unit volume, reduces the overall mass and thickness of the artificial muscle, and achieves efficient hydraulic actuation with localized and uniform fluid distribution, improving control and reducing the risk of leakage and permanent deformation.
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
achieves efficient hydraulic actuation with localized and uniform fluid distribution
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial muscle including a housing, an electrode pair positioned in an electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode each including a pair of tab portions and a bridge portion, the pair of tab portions extending parallel to one another to define a gap portion between the pair of tab portions, the gap portion having a constant gap width extending along a tab length of the pair of tab portions, the bridge portion interconnecting the pair of tab portions, and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, wherein 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 an expandable fluid region of the housing.